[117] National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is Oct. 23-29

Today’s date: Oct. 7, 2011

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Tennessee Alliance for Lead-safe Kids contact: Leigh Woodcock, 865-244-4350 (Knoxville office) or woodcock@mtsu.edu


National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is Oct. 23-29

MURFREESBORO — Oct. 23-29 is designated as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, and MTSU’s Tennessee Alliance for Lead-safe Kids program wants people across the state to know the risks and take precautions.

“The only way to know of lead exposure is through a simple blood test, and even low levels of lead in a child’s blood can be dangerous,” said Dr. Kathy Mathis, TALK/TN LEAP Principal Investigator.

“Our target audience is parents, but also anyone (child care or health care providers) who works with children under 6,” Mathis said.

Effects of childhood lead poisoning can include lowered IQ points, developmental and growth delays, learning disabilities, violent and aggressive behavior and coma or even death, researchers have determined.

Unless they have been exposed to lead hazards, children should be tested at 12 and 24 months of age. Parents and guardians should talk to their pediatrician or local health department officials about any concerns, Mathis said.

Children are exposed to lead through peeling and chipping paint in homes built before 1978; through lead dust from paint in homes built before 1978; through some older water pipes, mini blinds, imported toys, hobbies, home remedies and jewelry; and in utero (the uterus), where lead can be passed from the mother to her unborn child.

“There is a great concern for lead poisoning from imported goods, and rightly so, but many are unaware of the lead in their own homes that could poison their children,” Mathis said. “It’s our goal to help parents take simple steps to protect their kids.”

In Tennessee, more than 1 million homes were built before 1978; thus, more than 35 percent of all Tennessee homes potentially contain lead-based paint hazards.

Housing and Urban Development Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control grant programs at MTSU can assist families in various ways:

• TALK offers outreach and education about the dangers and prevention of childhood lead poisoning; and

• TN LEAP (Tennessee Lead Elimination Action Program) has grant funding to help identify and clean up lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 homes of those who qualify.

MTSU, in partnership with HUD, will observe this national week of lead poisoning awareness by placing Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Storyboards in children’s museums in Murfreesboro, Jackson and Tullahoma; through public bus advertisements placed in the Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville markets; via advertisements with Nashville Parent magazine; and by participating in numerous professional and community-based outreach events statewide.

Childhood lead poisoning is 100 percent preventable, said Dr. Carol Boraiko, TN LEAP co-principal investigator. For information on how to protect your child or children in your care and request assistance, go online to mtsu.edu/talk or join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MTSUHealthyHomesforTennessee.

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