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Housing Development and Neighborhood Revitalization
PROGRAM GOAL
The goal of Lead-Safe Roanoke is to form partnerships among local government departments, public agencies, faith-based, community-based, and non-profit organizations to educate the community on the hazards of lead in homes and the risk of lead poisoning to children less than 6 years of age.
WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM'S OBJECTIVES?
OBJECTIVE #1..........EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
To educate the community on the importance of testing very young children for Elevated Blood Levels (EBLs) and the treatment options for those affected. In addition, we want to educate residents on how to reduce lead exposure in lead affected homes, and about lead paint abatement measures.
OBJECTIVE #2..........TESTING AND HEALTH SCREENING
To educate families of the need to conduct testing and screening of children under 6 years of age who are exposed to lead in the City of Roanoke.
OBJECTIVE #3..........PERFORM INTERIM LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD CONTROL ACTIVITIES
To educate property owners of available methods used to abate or control lead-based paint hazards in housing units located in city neighborhoods.
WHAT IS LEAD POISONING?
- It is a disease caused by swallowing or inhaling lead. Even small amounts can be harmful.
- Young children face the greatest risk because their bodies absorb lead more easily than adults.
- Children tend to put everything into their mouths.
- Children may be exposed to lead at home, school, day care, and playgrounds.
WHAT IS THE THREAT?
The biggest threat of lead paint comes from:
- fine dust in homes built before 1978, and
- chipped or peeling lead paint.
WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM IN ROANOKE?
- The problem of lead poisoning for children under 6 is very serious in Roanoke, especially in the older urban core
- One in 18 of the children younger than 6 years of age who were diagnosed with lead poisoning in Virginia between 1995 and 2001 came from the City of Roanoke.
- Almost all of the housing stock in Roanoke's older neighborhoods was built before 1978, the year that the use of paint containing lead was banned.
- Housing and socio-economic conditions in these areas contribute to the high level of risk for childhood lead poisoning.
HOW DOES LEAD AFFECT CHILDREN?
The effects of lead poisoning may not be obvious, but it may lead to:
- Damage the nervous system, including the brain
- Interfere with growth
- Harm hearing
- Lower IQ scores
- Make learning difficult
- Affect the child's behavior...making the child more excitable or less able to concentrate. At a very high level, lead poisoning may lead to coma, convulsions, and death.
- The only cure for lead poisoning is prevention.
For additional information on Roanoke's Lead Safe program, call us at 853-5681.
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