HOMES BUILT BEFORE 1978 MAY BE UNSAFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN DUE TO HIDDEN LEAD HAZARDS

October 25-31 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week:  
Test your home, your child, and get the facts about lead poisoning

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce that the Rockland County Department of Health is participating in Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to raise awareness among parents and parents-to-be about the effects of lead poisoning and how to prevent it. This year's theme for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) highlights the need to test your home, your child, and get the facts about lead poisoning.

Most children get lead poisoning from living or staying in older homes that have lead painted windowsills, window frames and walls. Many homes built before 1978 have lead paint on the inside and outside of the building. When old paint is sanded, scraped, brushed, burned, or if it cracks and peels due to wear and tear, it makes lead dust. Young children, especially between 6 months and 6 years old, are most at risk of being poisoned by lead because they tend to put their fingers and toys in their mouths and play in places where lead dust and chips can be found. Lead poisoning hurts the brain and other parts of the nervous system. "Lead in a child's body can slow down growth and development, damage hearing and speech, cause behavior problems and make it hard for children to pay attention and learn. Some of these problems may never go away. Lead can also be harmful to pregnant women," said Dr. Ruppert.

During NLPPW, Health Department staff will distribute information about using lead-safe renovation practices at:

• Home Depot in Nanuet on Monday, October 26 and Thursday, October 29 from 8:30 to 11:30 AM
• Home Depot in West Nyack on Friday, October 30 from 8:30 to 11:30 AM and 1:30 to 4:30 PM

Also during NLPPW, there will be a display of children's artwork and facts about lead poisoning in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.

Lead poisoning is still an environmental health threat to children and can be prevented. Learn more at leadfreekids.org and rocklandgov.com/departments/health/programs-and-services/lead-poisoning-prevention-program/ Contact the Health Department at 845-364-3839 for information about working in your older home in a lead-safe way. For information about where homeowners and landlords can apply for building permits when ready to renovate or remodel older homes, call Information Rockland at 845-364-2020 and ask where to apply for a building permit in your town or village.