For more than two decades, the Putnam County Department of Health has had a childhood lead poisoning prevention program. This program is a collaborative effort between the Environmental Health Services and Nursing divisions. The Environmental Health Services division investigates and monitors the places and ways a child may have come into contact with lead. The Nursing division also contributes to the investigation, and they monitor the blood lead levels of a child and work with healthcare providers to make sure levels are decreasing. Leading the Environmental Health Services division in the lead poisoning prevention program is Brian Stevens, Associate Public Health Sanitarian. Among his many responsibilities, Brian ensures that each lead case that comes into the health department is properly investigated and handled. Continue reading to learn more about Brian.

What is your favorite part of working at the health department?

The relationships I have made with other staff and members of the public while working in a wide variety of programs.

Is there a particularly rewarding experience you’d like to share?

In the lead program it is very rewarding when lead hazards are identified and corrected in a manner that prevents future lead exposure to a child. In one case, during an inspection of a home, no lead-based paint hazards were identified. However, during the visit, a large ceramic pot that was used for cooking was identified as having high levels of lead present in the glazing. The family discontinued use of the pot and the child’s blood lead level dropped.

What does your day-to-day work look like?

Each day in our department can be unique and includes supervising staff in a variety of programs. Working on program improvements and providing program support while giving updates and information to the State are often necessary tasks.  Working in a team environment and being able to collaborate with co-workers regarding an outbreak or illness or assisting staff with a case where a child has been exposed to lead, are routine tasks.

What do you wish the public knew about your job?

That our department’s work often goes beyond just enforcing rules and regulations. We are dedicated to serving the community and need to make decisions and provide guidance that will help protect and improve the health of all Putnam County residents.

What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?

In the lead program, I’ve learned the benefits of providing education and guidance to residents to inform them of the proper ways to safely work on lead hazards to avoid or minimize the negative health effects of lead. Some extra steps and measures to complete the work safely and contain any lead hazards can help keep a bad situation from becoming a lot worse.

Fortunately, lead poisoning is preventable. By testing children at 1 and 2 years of age, elevated blood lead levels can alert healthcare providers, parents, and the health department that a child is being exposed to lead. The earlier a lead exposure can be addressed, the better the outcome for the child and other people in the household. Read more about lead poisoning prevention at https://putnamcountyny.gov/component/zoo/item/the-25th-annual-national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week-starts-october-20?Itemid=143