Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Margaret Cunzio 3rd District: Raising Awareness About Lead Exposure in Children.

 

Raising Awareness About Lead Exposure in Children.

During Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 23-29), families are reminded to protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure in their homes.

Lead is a toxic mineral often found in paint in homes built before 1978. It has a sweet taste, which makes lead paint chips and lead dust attractive to young children. It can also be found in imported costume jewelry, toys, cosmetics, glazed pottery, antiques, ceramic ware, candy, and spices. 

All children from six months to six years old should have a lead assessment at every wellness visit by their medical provider, and under state law, all children who are one and two years old must receive a blood lead test. 

While the effects of lead poisoning may be permanent, if caught early, parents and guardians can prevent further exposure and reduce the harmful effects of lead. Here’s how:

• Make a plan with your doctor and follow up on time with all recommended blood lead tests.
• Have a licensed lead inspector inspect your home before you remodel or renovate.
• Find and fix lead in your home.
• Use wet paper towels or a mop to clean up lead dust or paint chips.
• Wash your child’s hands and toys often with soap and water, especially before eating and sleeping.
• Give your child healthy foods with calcium, iron, and vitamin C to help keep lead out of the body.
• Always use cold water for drinking, preparing bottles, and cooking.
• Never warm food in glazed pottery. Store food in glass, plastic, or stainless steel containers, never in open cans. Be aware that some toys, makeup, ceramics, food, spices and sauces, and other products made outside of the USA may contain lead.

About 500,000 American children between the ages of one and five have elevated levels of lead in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Property owners of single-family or multi-family homes throughout Westchester are encouraged to apply for the County’s Lead Safe Westchester (LSW) Program, made possible by a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The LSW Program provides FREE improvements and repairs to reduce lead-based paint, dust, and other safety hazards in housing units built before 1978, where residents with low to moderate incomes reside. Priority is given to units housing children under the age of 6 and/or units where a pregnant woman lives. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the occupants’ eligibility and on a home inspection that determines the presence of lead. To request an application, property owners, landlords and tenants should call 914-995-4402 or e-mail kqte@westchestergov.com.