Colorado to Observe National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October 19-25 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.
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
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