Children are considered "high-risk" if they...

Children are considered "high-risk" if they live in pre-1978 homes with deteriorated lead paint due to the significant exposure risk associated with lead hazards in these environments. Homes built before 1978 are likely to contain lead-based paint, which can deteriorate and create lead dust or chips that children may ingest or inhale. Young children are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to put their hands or objects that may have come into contact with lead dust into their mouths.

This classification as "high-risk" is critical for prioritizing lead testing and intervention efforts to reduce potential lead poisoning in children. While having parents who were lead poisoned can increase awareness of the risk, it does not directly impact the child's current environment or exposure level. Similarly, living in homes built after 1978 does not generally present a risk for lead exposure, as regulations introduced in that year prohibit the use of lead-based paint in residential properties. Enrollment in public schools also does not inherently indicate a high risk for lead exposure, as lead issues are more related to residential environments than educational institutions.