Lead paint in older homes remains a problem in Wisconsin
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Oct 30 2008 at 4:35 PM
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The Pierce County Public Health Department in Ellsworth said that lead paint or varnish in older homes is the key source for lead poisoning in children.

As this is National Lead Poisoning Week, the health agency is seeking to raise awareness about the hazards lead and how they can be prevented.

Almost all homes built before 1978 are likely to have lead paint or varnish. Dust or chips from lead paint can easily poison kids.

Officials said that children under 3 years are at great risk.

“Children can be poisoned if they get dust on their fingers and toys and then put them in their mouths. Lead not only hurts children, but interferes with a child’s development as well,” said Caralynn Hodgson, health officer for Pierce County.

Lead can interfere with the normal development of the brain of a child. This will result in lower IQ and attention span, impaired growth and reading as well as learning disabilities.

“Efforts to raise awareness and get rid of lead in homes have led to real success in reducing the number of children with lead poisoning each year. However, 2,087 children were found to be lead poisoned in Wisconsin in 2007,” Hodgson said.

Hodgson said that Wisconsin will be eliminating childhood lead poisoning by the year 2010.

Here are some tips for parents:

Have your children tested for lead. Lead-poisoned children may not appear sick. The only way to determine this is to have their blood tested. A doctor or local health department can test your children.

Clean up paint chips and dirt with a damp cloth. Use a HEPA vacuum instead of sweeping. You can borrow a HEPA vacuum from Pierce County Public Health.

Don’t allow your children to play or sleep in areas where there are chips or dust from lead paint.

Wash the hands of your children frequently, especially before meals, snacks and naptime or bedtime.

Feed your children foods that are rich in calcium and iron in order to prevent lead absorption.

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