Tuesday October 13, 2009
October 25 - 31 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and the Louisville Metro Department of Housing and Family Services will hold the following special events in observance of National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. All events are free.
Tuesday, October 27 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lead poisoning prevention literature to be presented at all Public Health and Wellness WIC Clinics.
Lead poisoning prevention literature will be presented at the following clinics.
Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
1411 Algonquin Parkway
Dixie Health Center
7219 Dixie Highway
Family Health Center Fairdale
1000 Neighborhood Place
Family Health Center Portland
2215 Portland Avenue
L & N Building Neighborhood Place
908 W. Broadway
Middletown Health Center
200 Juneau Dr.
Neighborhood Place East
810 Barret Ave.
Neighborhood Place South Central
4255 Hazelwood Avenue
Newburg Health Center
4810 Exeter Ave.
Wednesday, October 28 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Canvassing and literature distribution at hardware stores in the Portland, Russell, Shawnee neighborhoods.
Staff members from the Department of Public Health and Wellness and the Department of Housing and Family Services will visit hardware stores in the Portland, Russell and Shawnee neighborhoods to distribute such publications as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (E.P.A.) handbook for contractor’s, property managers and maintenance personnel on the renovation of homes containing lead-based paint; an E.P.A. home checklist for lead poisoning and a lead poisoning prevention fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Friday, October 30 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Presentations on how to prevent lead poisoning and free lead screenings for pregnant women and for children 6 years of age and younger.
Mother’s Day Out Event
Neighborhood House
201 N. 25th St.
Friday, October 30 – 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Information distribution, Louisville Zoo, World’s Largest Halloween Party
Lead Safe Louisville Project materials will be available as well as healthy treats for children.
Although childhood lead poisoning is the most preventable environmental disease of young children, nearly one million children across America have elevated blood lead levels. The primary source of children being poisoned is lead- based paint found in homes built before 1978. The goal of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the United States by 2010.
“Lead poisoning can cause very serious and permanent damage to young children. It can even cause serious harm to a developing fetus,” said Dr. Adewale Troutman, Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public and Wellness. “We urge parents to have children 6 months to 6 years old tested for elevated blood lead levels.” Parents may contact their health care provider or phone the Department of Public Health and Wellness at 574-6644 to have their children tested.
The Lead Safe Louisville Project has funds available to remove lead hazards from the home. Lead Safe Louisville is a federally funded program of the Louisville Metro Department of Housing and Family Services. The goal of the program is to remove lead hazards from homes built before 1978 where children under age 6 or where pregnant women live. In addition to removing dangerous lead hazards, the work performed with these funds may provide valuable home improvements. For more information, phone 574-3107 or visit www.louisvilleky.gov/Housing/Lead-Safe+Louisville.htm
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