MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s national Lead Poisoning Prevention Week which is particularly important in Memphis.
More than half a million children in the U.S. have unhealthy levels of lead in their blood and local experts said the statistics are higher here.
Many homes in the city were built before 1978 when lead-based paint was still used, which can be dangerous for families with children.
“We have a lot of lead poisoned children,” said Betsy Shockley with the Shelby County Health Department.
Shockley is the manager of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
Her department has been working with HUD and the CDC to combat the problem here in Memphis.
“We’ve shown for a long time we have a lot of poor housing stock and poverty, and unfortunately when you put those two things together, you get hundreds of lead poisoned children a year.”
Dust from the lead paint can fall on the floor which is a danger to children.
“The children play on the floor, they put their hands in their mouth and ingest lead dust and become lead poisoned,” explained Shockley.
The lead paint can cause brain damage.
“We are above the national average for lead poisoning. We’re screening about 18,000 children in Shelby County a year.”
The Health Department uses interactive displays so that families can see where lead is in their home, often in places they might not have thought about.
“From Venetian mini blinds to pewter to toys,” said Shockley.
Last month, the City of Memphis announced they received a $3.7 million grant to help rid homes built before 1978 of lead. They already helped Janice Taylor, who runs a daycare, get rid of lead at her business.
“It’s very helpful to our families, to the children,” said Taylor.
Taylor said she’s taking extra steps to make the children are safe. She said taking preventative steps now is key.
“Some of our parents have already taken the measures to have their child tested which I thought was fantastic.”
The city said since last month they’ve had at least 200 people contact them interested in how their home can be screened for lead.
You can contact them at 901-576-7325 or 901-576-7335.
