Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Eric Frohmberg
Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Significant decrease in lead poisonings over time.
What does lead poisoning mean?
• It’s real – good studies over the last 30 years
• Lead hurts brain development
• Harder for kids to learn
• Changes how they learn
• Changes behavior
• Depends on “dose” – no wiggle room with lead
How does lead poisoning happen?
• Dust from lead paint.
• Greatest exposure is when children are most sensitive
• Children’s natural behavior
Lead Poisoning in Maine
• 40% of our lead poisonings in 5 cities
• 80%-90% of poisonings in 5 cities are rentals
Rental v home
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
100.0%
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
% private% rental
If you are a landlord
• A child gets poisoned. Permanent damage
• All apartments in building are inspected
• May have to relocate tenants
• Abate all units
• Apartment posted, cannot rent / cannot evict
Outreach
• Direct mailing to parents of 1 and 2 year olds
• Test and identify lead sources
HOME LEAD DUST TESTING
Results from Homeowners and TenantsAs of 8/31
Homeow ner67%
Tenant33%
Result LevelsAs of 8/31
Low79%
Medium7%
High14%
QUESTIONS
Eric FrohmbergPhone (tollfree in Maine)1-866-292-3474Email: [email protected]
www.maine.gov/healthyhomes
