City of Atlanta Celebrates National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

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ATLANTA – The City of Atlanta Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) announced today that it will celebrate National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) from October 26 – 31, in partnership with the Center for Working Families, Inc. The observance week focuses on raising awareness about lead poisoning and promotes steps City of Atlanta 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.
“Lead poisoning could have potentially serious health consequences. We are grateful for our national and local community partnering agencies who are committed to reducing the total number of children, families and communities that are at risk,” said Tim Keane, Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Community Development. “Through our department’s Office of Housing, we will continue to raise awareness and work to eliminate lead exposure in City of Atlanta homes.”

The City of Atlanta and the Center for Working Families, Inc. was awarded a $2.5 million Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reduce lead hazards in Atlanta homes. 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.
During NLPPW, DPCD will receive a proclamation from the Atlanta City Council for its Lead Safe Atlanta initiative. In addition, a photo exhibit of the program’s work and its impact will be showcased in the City Hall Atrium on October 29 – 30.

On Saturday, October 31, 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 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. The event is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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