| Lead Poisoning Prevention |
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Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that has had a wide range of uses in manufacturing history. Lead has no biologic function or value in the human body. At very high levels, lead in the body can lead to seizures, coma and even death. At low levels of exposure – especially for infants and children under six whose brains and nervous system are still developing – lead poisoning can cause lowered IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, impaired hearing or stunted growth. The risk of lead poisoning for children in the Sixteenth Street service area is extreme. Houses in the neighborhood are primarily wooden, single and multi-family homes that were built around 1900. Although the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the addition of lead to residential paint beginning in 1978, the ban has had little effect on the base paint in these older homes that is now severely deteriorated. Paint chips and dust found in and around the home is the most common source of lead poisoning for small children, whose hands explore their surroundings and go immediately into their mouths. Below are several simple flyers and education pages (in both English and Spanish) that describe how lead poisoning affects the body and some things you can do to prevent lead poisoning. For additional information or with questions, feel free to call Sixteenth Street’s Lead Poisoning Program Manager at 414-672-1315 Extension 247. |
