Westside Health Authority
“Helping Communities Build Relationships Among Neighbors”
5417 W. Division Street, Chicago, IL. 60651
773-786-0226

CONTACT: Lynn Sanders – 847-501-2867
Park Avenue Productions
Or: LeShauna Carr – 773-378-5034

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“ Austin Has One Of The Highest Levels Of Lead In Chicago”

Free Lead Awareness Programs Combats Lead Poisoning

Chicago, IL. (12/12/07)... “Austin has one of the highest levels of lead in the city,” confirmed Patrick MacRoy, Program Director at the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Since the toxic effects of lead poisoning are too serious to be ignored, west side groups are taking action by attending free lead awareness training programs.

At the forefront of the training are lead awareness consultants Delano McIntyre and his colleague, LeShauna Carr from Chicago’s Westside Health Authority. Over the past few months, McIntyre and Carr have been offering free lead awareness programs within Austin, East & West Lawndale and Humboldt Park. These 30-60 minute programs are designed for both children and adults. The youth programs, targeted for ages 3-9, include interactive activities and gifts. Adult programs include a raffle prize.

McIntyre and Carr’s lead programs have been shown at churches, schools, agencies and community centers. Their hope is that through education, potential health risks can be prevented. As they’ve explained to audiences, lead poisoning can cause permanent health problems for children, pregnant women and other adults. For children younger than six years old, the damage is more extreme, since young bodies are still developing.
McIntyre warns that if a child suddenly exhibits hyperactivity, the cause could be related to lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning can hurt a child’s brains, kidneys, and other organs, causing learning and behavioral problems. Health problems include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), asthma, bronchitis, and worsening of sickle cell anemia. The impact of lead poisoning can potentially cause death. Yet lead poisoning is totally preventable.

How prevalent is lead poisoning in Chicago? According to MacRoy’s preliminary statistics from 2006, about 2.9% of all children in Chicago were identified with lead poisoning. In comparison, lead’s levels are much higher for children on Chicago’s west and south side. These higher lead levels include:
Austin: 5.4% of all children
North Lawndale: 4.4% of all children
South Lawndale: 2.2% of all children
Humboldt: 4.5% of all children
East & West Englewood: 6.1% & 6.2% of all children

Why do lead poisoning levels vary? McIntyre explained, “The use of lead paint was banned in 1978. But many of the older buildings in Austin (and other areas) haven’t been rehabbed; they still contain the old paint.”

Instead of removing the old paint with paint thinner, a new coat of paint is applied as a temporary cover up. As the newer paint peels and cracks, especially around windows, residents become exposed to lead from the original paint. Often, paint dust on the window track will blow into the house.

“Those at highest risk are kids,” says McIntyre. “Babies keep 50% of what they take in their bodies. Children, especially infants and toddlers, may walk, crawl or even touch their hands on it. Adults, on the other hand, only retain about 25-30% of what they take in.”

Chicago’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program describes how lead enters the body after it’s ingested or inhaled. Their report indicates, “Most children are exposed to lead from chipping, peeling, or flaking lead-based paint, lead dust, and soil with lead in it. Lead dust or lead-contaminated soil can get on toys and hands. It gets into bodies when children put their dirty hands or toys into their mouths. Children can also be lead poisoned by chewing or sucking on painted surfaces or paint chips. Adults often get exposed by breathing lead dust or lead fumes at work or while doing a hobby.“

“The numbers are down from ten years ago, ” relates MacRoy. “We’re making progress, but we still have a ways to go.”

To schedule a free lead awareness program for youth or adults, please call WHA’s lead consultant, LeShauna Carr: 773-378-5034 .

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