“National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week” October 24-30, 2010
October 20, 2010
Lead-free Kids for a Healthy Future
CHARLESTON, SC – October 24-30, 2010 – The City of Charleston’s Lead Hazard Control Program will join the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in observance of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 24-30, 2010.
Established in 1999 by the U.S. Senate, NLPPW takes place each year during the last week in October and is a joint effort between HUD, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goal is to raise awareness of childhood lead poisoning and the measures parents should take to keep their children safe from lead-based paint hazards.
This year’s theme is: “Lead-free Kids for a Healthy Future,” which underscores the importance of parents having their homes and children tested for lead. Lead poisoning in children often has no obvious signs or symptoms, but can impact a child’s cognitive development, growth, and behavior if left untreated. In severe cases, it can result in coma or death.
Despite a federal ban in 1978, the EPA reports that lead-based paint is the number one environmental health hazard facing children today. HUD estimates that as many as 38 million homes across the U.S. still contain lead-based paint. As this paint breaks down, it is likely to chip, peel, and create lead dust, which is potentially harmful to children and pregnant women.
One common way children are lead poisoned is through improper renovation of older homes. Nearly 20 percent of all childhood lead poisoning cases are a result of repairs done without consideration of potential exposure to lead.
To mitigate this problem, the Lead Program uses grant funds, awarded by HUD, to make homes in the City of Charleston lead-safe for children and pregnant women.
Families who meet our minimum requirements may be eligible for the following services:
- A free risk assessment to determine the presence of lead-based paint hazards
- Painting and/or replacement of wooden windows and doors
- Vinyl siding
- Painting of lead paint contaminated porches and railings
- Treatment of lead paint contaminated soil
- Painting of lead paint contaminated baseboards and trim
All of these services are provided at no cost to qualified homeowners and are based on the unique needs of each qualified home. Each service is performed by our EPA-certified risk assessors, contractors, and construction managers.
What can you do? The Charleston Lead Program and Program Manager, Phyllis Young are seeking to partner with your organization to get the word out about the prevention of childhood lead poisoning, and the availability of grant funds to help with this effort.
If you have any upcoming (or future) events such as neighborhood association meetings, church events, health fairs, or PTA meetings, a representative of the CLP can take the opportunity to make a brief presentation before parents, members or congregants.
