With a $2.5 million Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reduce lead hazards in homes, the city of Atlanta has strived to help residents reduce their exposure to lead. The grant funded the Lead Safe Atlanta program, which provides free home inspections and conducts lead prevention repairs for parents with children six years of age and under, and pregnant women residing in city of Atlanta homes built before year 1978 that have high levels of lead present.
To reinforce that initiative, the city of Atlanta Department of Planning and Community Development will celebrate National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week this week in partnership with the Center for Working Families Inc. The observance week focuses on raising awareness about lead poisoning and promotes steps residents can take to reduce lead exposure.
High blood lead exposure levels may cause significant damage to children’s health, including learning and behavioral problems.
In addition, the city of Atlanta and the Center for Working Families Inc. will host a health fair in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and many other local health providers 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dunbar Center of Hope in Mechanicsville.
The family friendly Halloween-themed event will test children for elevated blood levels, as well as provide other screenings, education resources, and treats for the entire family.
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