SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Lead Poisoning is a growing concern in St. Joseph County.
The Department of Health is focused on raising awareness about the significant hazards of lead exposure.
These risks may have enduring consequences for both you and the children around you.
Officials are urging people to get children and their home tested for lead.
Kids that are 7 and under are at a major risk of lead exposure since their brains are still developing.
Even the smallest amount of exposure in children can cause a variety of health problems.
Lead Poisoning is one of the greatest health risks that children face.
Lead was used in both interior and exterior paint until 1978.
70% of homes in St. Joseph County were built before 1978 which puts many people at high risk for lead-based paint hazards.
“Lead is really fine dust so , children can eat it so then that will cause you know developmental problems down the road,” said Jonathan Carmona – St. Joseph County Department of Health.
Children can have serious health problems from learning disabilities, speech and language problems, to decreased bone and muscle growth.
As more cases are being reported in St. Joseph County, officials are stepping up to remind the community of ways to stay safe, even offering lead testing for children.
Testing takes a finger poke for a sample of blood and the use of a machine that will give Lead level results within 15 minutes.
“But we also work with a lab that we can send specimen to and then they can check and give us the results also,” said Carmona.
The most common source of lead exposure is deteriorating lead-based paint and the resulting dust.
The best way to steer clear is by keeping things clean around the house.
Especially areas that children may chew or that gets a lot of wear and tear like windows sills, door frames, stairs, and porches.
Officials say its also very important to have your homes tested for lead.. Which the Department of Health offers for free by request.
“We also have Self kits that are provided with one of our community partners and they can do it themselves also but if they want something more thorough, then we have a team at the health department that can go and check their homes,” said Carmona.
You can find resources and more information on free lead risk assessments on the St.Joseph County website.