Section 124125 Of Article 7. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 106. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 7.
124125
. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that childhood
lead exposure represents the most significant childhood environmental
health problem in the state today; that too little is known about
the prevalence, long-term health care costs, severity, and location
of these problems in California; that it is well known that the
environment is widely contaminated with lead; that excessive lead
exposure causes acute and chronic damage to a child's renal system,
red blood cells, and developing brain and nervous system; that at
least one in every 25 children in the nation has an elevated blood
lead level; and that the cost to society of neglecting this problem
may be enormous.
The Legislature further finds and declares that knowledge about
where and to what extent harmful childhood lead exposures are
occurring in the state could lead to the prevention of these
exposures, and to the betterment of the health of California's future
citizens. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature in enacting
this article to establish a state Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program within the department to accomplish all of the
following:
(a) To compile information concerning the prevalence, causes, and
geographic occurrence of high childhood blood lead levels.
(b) To identify and target areas of the state where childhood lead
exposures are especially significant.
(c) To analyze information collected pursuant to this article and,
where indicated, design and implement a program of medical followup
and environmental abatement and followup that will reduce the
incidence of excessive childhood lead exposures in California.