Colo. to Observe National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Oct.19-25
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 - DENVER - Colorado is
joining with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and
others in observing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week,
Oct. 19-25, focusing on the importance of educating parents
and children about the dangers of lead exposure, especially
lead-paint hazards in and around the home.
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, yet more than
300,000 U.S. children between the ages of 1 and 5 have blood
lead levels greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter of
blood, the level at which the Centers for Disease Control
recommends public health actions be initiated.
“The major source of lead exposure among children in the
United States is lead-based paint and lead-contaminated
dust,” said Ned Calonge, chief medical officer for the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Even
though lead-based paints were banned for use in housing 30
years ago, tens of millions of housing units in the country
have deteriorated lead paint and lead-contaminated house
dust.”
Calonge added, “Children under 6 years old are most at
risk because they are growing and tend to put their hands or
other objects in their mouths. Lead hazards in a child’s
environment must be identified and removed.”
The theme for this year’s National Lead Poisoning
Prevention Week is “Let’s Wipe Out Lead Poisoning-Renovate
Right!” and highlights a new federal rule that is designed
to protect families from the dangers of lead dust resulting
from home renovations and everyday painting and repairs.
The rule requires that lead-safe paint removal practices
be used to ensure that sanding, cutting and other demolition
activities in and around the home do not disburse harmful
lead dust into the air, food and clothing.
To reduce the risks posed by lead, homeowners should
contact their state or local health department about testing
paint and dust from the home if living in a dwelling built
before 1978, especially if young children are living there.
Other tips include the following:
- Damp-mop floors and surfaces frequently.
- Wash children’s hands, pacifiers and toys regularly.
- Use only cold water from the tap for drinking,
cooking and making baby formula.
- Avoid using certain foreign digestive remedies like
azarcon and greta, and cosmetics like kohl and alkohl
that contain lead.
Take basic steps to decrease exposure to lead (for
example, showering and changing clothes after finishing the
task) if renovating or repairing in structures built before
1978.
For more information on how to find professionals to test
houses for lead, contact the National Lead Information
Center at 1-800-424 LEAD (5323) or the lead professionals at
the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at
303-692-3150.
Additional information on lead poisoning prevention in
Colorado can be found at
www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/lead/. |
