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Awareness Key to Preventing Lead Poisoning

Release Date: 10/23/2006
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / [email protected]; Contacto en español: Lina Younes, (202) 564-9924 / [email protected]

(10/23/06) Lead poisoning continues to be a concern for as many as 310,000 children under the age of six in this country. To increase awareness of lead poisoning prevention, EPA and other government agencies and organizations will participate in the eighth annual National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 22-28, 2006.

Various lead education and outreach events for families will be held across the country including health fairs and workshops on lead awareness and education. The federal government goal is to eliminate childhood lead poisonings as a major public health concern by the year 2010.

In addition to lead paint, lead-contaminated dust and soil are primary sources of lead exposure for most children. Children are especially susceptible to lead poisoning since they are more likely to ingest lead paint and are more sensitive to the effects of lead.

Elevated blood lead levels in young children can trigger learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing and even brain damage. To learn more about National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week activities, contact a local health department or call 1-800-424-LEAD.

More information: epa.gov/lead/pubs/lppw2006.htm

En español: epa.gov/lead/pubs/lppw2006sp.htm