DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 18, 2007 DHSS-112-2007 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
EPA AWARDS GRANT TO DELAWARE HEALTH AGENCY TO COMBAT CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING
| WHEN: | October 18, 2007 at 10:30 a.m |
|---|---|
| WHERE: | The Latin American Community Center's Manuelita Olson Building 301 N. Harrison St. Wilmington, Del. |
| WHO: | EPA Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh Lt. Governor John C. Carney, Jr. Dr. Jaime H. Rivera, Director, Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) |
| WHAT: | The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will purchase and distribute lead dust sampling kits and screen up to 1,000 homes for elevated lead dust levels with a grant award received from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Children are at greater risk of lead poisoning if they live or stay in older (built prior to 1978) and poorly maintained housing. Young children, especially toddlers, can ingest lead dust by putting toys or their hands in their mouths. Because there are no immediate signs and symptoms of lead poisoning, the EPA and DPH recommends that all Delaware children have a blood lead test at or around one year of age. Left untreated, lead poisoning leads to learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and decreased intelligence. Severe cases of lead poisoning may even result in death. |
Directions to the Latin American Community Center:
From I -95 North Take exit 6 SR-4/ Maryland Ave. Toward Martin Luther King Blvd. Merge onto South Adams Street Turn left at West 2nd Street Turn right on Franklin Street Turn right on 3rd Street end at 301 N. Harrison Street
From I - 95 S Take exit 6 for SR-9/Fourth Street Toward Martin Luther King Blvd. Turn right at West 4th Street Turn left at North Harrison Street end at 301 N. Harrison Street
From Rt. 13 South South will turn into South Walnut Street Make a left at East 4th Street Turn Left at North Harrison Street end at 301 N. Harrison Street
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
