Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Release Date:           Immediate Release         Kill Date:  October 25, 2007

Contact Person:        Sherry Taylor RN, BSN

                                    Public Health Nurse Coordinator

                                    Genesee County Health Department

Phone:                        (810) 257-3833

RE:                              Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness

                                    Week     October 21-27, 2007

             During Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness Week, October 21-27, 2007, and to raise awareness about lead poisoning, the Genesee County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition will sponsor lead prevention education and free lead testing for children living in Genesee County during this week.  Children must be under six years of age and live in Genesee County to be eligible.

Testing times and sites are listed below.  Mott Children’s Health Center will provide Registered Nurses to test for lead.  Families should call for an appointment today, at (810) 257- 3833. 

   Monday 10/22/07              

10:30am – 2:00pm     Courtland Center

                                                    4190 E. Court Street

    Burton, MI  48509

   Thursday 10/25/07                        

10:30am – 2:00pm    Genesee Valley Center

                                                  G- 3341 S. Linden Road

   Flint, MI  48507

     Despite the national decline in blood lead levels over the past two decades, children in Michigan and Genesee County continue to be poisoned by lead in their homes, and lead poisoning remains the number one environmental health problem facing children. Most of the time, young children do not show signs that they are lead poisoned. A blood lead test is the only way to be certain that a child is not lead poisoned.

Recent research has linked lead poisoning to violent crime, as well as lowered intelligence, learning disabilities, and aggressive behavior.  Children under age six are most often poisoned by dust from lead paint in older homes, especially those built before 1950.  One out of three homes in Michigan was built before this time.  Lead dust is created by opening and closing windows, and by remodeling or renovation.  Lead dust settles on floors and window sills, and is ingested when infants and toddlers put their hands or toys into their mouths, as they so often do when they are exploring their world.

There are 5 simple things that can be done in any home to prevent lead poisoning:

1.      Keep lead dust to a minimum.  Keep floors and window sills dust and dirt free by wet mopping with detergent.

2.      Wash children’s hands, pacifiers and toys with soap and water—frequently! Always wash children’s hands with soap and water before each meal, and before bedtime.

3.      Keep surfaces wet while sanding or scraping old paint.

4.      Feed young children healthy foods, rich in calcium and iron, and low in fat, to prevent lead from being absorbed by their bodies.

5.      Have your home checked by a professional lead assessor to determine the presence of lead paint, identify other dangers for children, and provide information on how to fix the problem areas. 

            For questions about childhood lead poisoning contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3833.

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