Has Your Child Had a Lead Test Yet? Lead Poisoning Public Health In 1970, the Surgeon General officially recognized lead poisoning as a potential health problem for the first time. The Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Act of 1971 prohibited the use of lead-based paint in federal buildings and housing units and in the manufacturing of cooking utensils, toys, and furniture. Lead paint disproportionately affected urban children who frequently lived amidst rundown conditions with chipped and peeling paint. This poster from the Department of Health and Human Services adopts the authoritative image of the medical doctor as an advocate of lead tests for children. The text warns parents that children might by poisoning themselves by eating paint chips and offers free lead tests for children. In the late 1970s, an estimated 15 million children had unsafe lead levels. By 1991 that number had been reduced to 1.7 million.. NOTE: Slide of original poster image is slightly blurry. Dow Jones & Co., [ca. 1970] Dow Jones & Company, [ca. 1970] The History of Medicine Division. Prints and Photographs Collection Dow Jones & Co. Dow Jones & Company Posters Slides (photographs) Archival Materials Still Image 1 pages nlm:nlmuid-101584655X37-img 101584655X37 http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584655X37 Profiles ID: VCBBCV English Profiles in Science