Lead poisoning is the most common environmental health hazard for children in the United States according to the Knox County Health Department.
They’re working to make residents aware of what can cause dangerous levels of lead in children and what can be done for treatment.
The primary cause of children with blood surpassing the level that triggers case management, 10 micrograms per deciliter, they say is caused by exposure to lead that is eaten or breathed.
Dried lead paint in the form of chips or dust are easy ingested by children which is particularly dangerous in homes that were built before 1978, before federal ban on lead based paint in homes.
The KCHD emphasizes that lead will not go away on it’s own.
Homes with lead paint may need to pay for lead abatement and then perform a thorough cleaning to remove lead dust residue.
They encourage parents, particularly those living in older homes, to be vigilant about having their children’s blood lead levels tested.
The KCHD are expected to discuss the topic at their board meeting this evening at 7 p.m.
