All News Releases By Date

EPA and Walltown Children's Theatre to host play on the dangers of lead

Release Date: 10/22/2007
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, EPA Media Relations, (404)562-8421

(Atlanta, GA – Oct. 22, 2007) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Walltown Children's Theatre (WCT) will host the play “Flakes” in Durham and Goldsboro, N.C. on Oct. 23, 25 and 27, 2007 to focus attention on protecting children from lead poisoning and residential lead hazards.

The play, “Flakes”, is an original forty-five minute play for elementary-age children with song and dance that focuses on the dangers associated with deteriorating lead-base paint. The play will be performed at the following locations:

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007
Durham
E.K. Powe Elementary School at 9:30 a.m.
Lakewood Elementary School at 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007
Goldsboro
Carver Elementary School at 1:00 p.m.
Note: Another school production will be announced on this date at a later time.

Saturday Oct. 27, 2007
Durham
Walltown Children's Theater


This joint project between the EPA and Walltown Children's Theatre is a major opportunity to directly educate and influence school children about lead poisoning. Childhood lead poisoning is a major concern throughout the U.S. Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning.

The Agency's Lead Awareness Program continues to work to protect human health and the environment against the dangers of lead by developing regulations, conducting research, and designing educational outreach efforts and materials. The week of October 21 has been designated as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and theme this year, "Protect Our Most Valuable Resource -- Our Children," highlights the importance of educating parents and children about the dangers of lead exposure, especially lead-paint hazards in housing.

For more information on this event, contact Andrea Lippitt at 404-562-8983, Community Outreach Specialist for the EPA Region 4 Lead Base Paint Program. For additional information about lead poisoning prevention and children's health, go to EPA’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/lead or call 1-800-424-LEAD.