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Roanoke proclaims National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week; Lead Safe program highlights testing and rapid response
Summary
City officials proclaimed National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 19–25) and the health department and Lead Safe Roanoke described services: case management for elevated blood lead levels, same‑ or next‑day outreach, distribution of cleaning supplies, and grant applications opening.
The Roanoke City Council proclaimed Oct. 19–25, 2025 as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week at its Oct. 20 meeting and heard a briefing on local lead‑poisoning prevention and remediation work.
Why it matters: most of Roanoke’s housing stock was built before 1978, when lead‑based paint was banned, increasing the risk of lead exposure in older homes. Council members emphasized testing and prevention measures to protect young children.
What the city health department and Lead Safe Roanoke reported
- Lead Safe Roanoke works with families referred by the health department for elevated childhood blood lead levels and provides education, home cleaning supplies, and case management. The program aims to make contact within five days of a referral and typically achieves same‑ or next‑day outreach. - In the past year the program received about 30 referrals from the health department; Lead Safe staff said they will follow children for as long as necessary to ensure mitigation. - The city’s Lead Safe program opened applications for a new grant cycle on Oct. 20; the program provides in‑home mitigation services and assistance to families (beds, cleaning supplies, and plumbing/repair referrals were mentioned as examples used previously).
Direct quote: Dr. Cynthia Merrill, health director for Roanoke City and Alleghany health districts, said the health department and partners "provide over 80 case management services related to elevated blood lead levels" and that Lead Safe aims to contact families "within 5 days" of referral and often makes contact the same day or next day.
Council response
Council members thanked Lead Safe staff and discussed avenues to expand partnerships with community groups, churches and schools to reach families and close service gaps. Several council members said they value the program’s rapid response and asked staff to provide more data on youth lead levels and program outcomes.
Ending
Council formally declared the week for public awareness and encouraged residents to test children at routine wellness visits; the city’s public health partnerships will continue outreach and case management while Lead Safe seeks applications for a new grant cycle.
