Exposures

The LDH Tracking Program includes the following exposure data:

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless and colorless gas that can come from a variety of sources. Breathing high levels can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause severe illness or even death is just minutes.  For this reason, carbon monoxide is often referred to as an invisible killer.

Childhood Blood Lead Levels 

Children under 6 years old are more susceptible to blood lead poisoning than adults. They are more in touch with exposures such as lead in dust, on the floor or soil, and often handle items in their hands or mouths. Lead is a metal element which can be present in everyday environments. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), there is no safe level for blood lead in children. Even in small amounts, lead is poisonous and can be harmful to a child’s development. All children in Louisiana should be screened for lead exposure at 6 months of age, and at ages 1 or 2.

Within the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), the Louisiana Healthy Homes and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (LHHCLPPP) records reported childhood blood levels. They urge all parents through their pediatricians to screen children for lead. For more information, please visit: www.ldh.la.gov/lead.

Pesticide Exposures

A pesticide exposure occurs when humans come into contact with chemicals intended to control pests. Pesticide exposures can sometimes lead to pesticide poisonings.  Pesticide exposures may result from a single, short-term exposure to high levels of pesticides; a long-term exposure to high levels of pesticides; or a long-term exposure to low levels of pesticides. There are many different sources or ways people can be exposed to pesticides including pesticide residues in the air, water, soil, sediment, food materials, plants and animals. The most common exposure scenarios for pesticide-poisoning cases are accidental or suicidal poisonings, occupational exposure, bystander exposure to off-target drift, and the general public who are exposed through environmental contamination.