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U.S. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Goes Global

Release Date: 10/22/2013
Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn (News Media Only) [email protected] 202-564-7849 202-564-4355; EN ESPAÑOL: Lina Younes [email protected] 202-564-9924 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are partnering with the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, to announce the Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action. This is the first time National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will be recognized internationally. More than 35 countries from across the world will take action and hold public awareness activities during this week.

“This year’s theme, ‘Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future,’ underscores the importance of testing your home for lead and understanding how to prevent harmful exposures. Given that lead impacts children around the world, we are pleased to help National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week go global this year,” said Jim Jones, EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Joining with other countries to raise awareness about protecting children from the harmful exposure to lead will have a long-term positive effect on the health of children worldwide.”

This year, the partners will work to raise awareness about lead paint poisoning worldwide and the need to eliminate lead in paint. The goal during this International Week of Action is to reduce lead exposure and raise public awareness through activities that will take place in more than 35 countries. EPA translated educational materials on the hazards of lead poisoning and provided customized materials for international activities and events.

Examples of international activities include:

· national outreach campaigns conducted by the Georgian and South African governments;
· a medical professionals’ conference in India,
· the release of a report on the lead content of household paints offered for sale in the Philippines; and,
· outreach by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization.

In the United States, paint containing lead was effectively banned for residential use in 1978. However, sources of children’s exposure to lead from paint can still be found in some older buildings. Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable. Here are some simple tips to help protect your children:

· If you live in a home built before 1978, have your home inspected for lead.
· Get your child tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead exposure.
· Get the facts. Visit: https://www.epa.gov/lead or 1-800-424-LEAD.