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Lead is a
neurotoxin
which has
been known
to cause
learning
disabilities,
behavioral
problems,
lowered IQ,
and even
death at
high levels.
According to
the Illinois
Department
of Public
Health (IDPH),
residents
who live
within the
zip code
60153, which
includes the
Village of
Maywood,
live in a
high-risk
area for
lead
poisoning.
IDPH
mandates
that
children who
live within
the zip code
60153 be
tested for
lead level
at one and
two years of
age because
of the
high-risk
for lead
poisoning.
Most cases
of lead
poisoning
occur
through
exposure to
house dust
which
contains
lead from
chipping or
peeling
lead-based
paint. 75%
of all homes
built in the
U.S. before
1978 have
lead-based
paint in
them. 95% of
homes in
Maywood were
built before
1980;
therefore
most homes
in Maywood
are likely
to contain
lead-based
paint. On
occasion,
children
have
contracted
lead
poisoning
through
exposure to
toys
containing
high levels
of lead.
Information
on
children’s
products
which have
been
recalled for
various
reasons,
including
lead
content, can
be obtained
at
www.recalls.gov.
Lead
poisoning is
preventable.
There are
steps for
adults to
take to
protect
children
from lead
poisoning.
These
include:
-
keeping
them
away
from
chipping
or
peeling
paint
-
not
using
hot tap
water
for
cooking
or
drinking
-
serving
frequent
meals
and
snacks
which
include
foods
high in
iron,
calcium,
and
Vitamin
C
-
keeping
floors,
carpets,
toys,
and
children’s
hands
clean
For more
information
about lead
poisoning,
contact the
Cook County
Department
of Public
Health’s
Lead
Poisoning
Prevention
Unit at
708-492-2076
or visit:
www.cookcountypublichealth.org. |
