The Environmental Protection Agency, Delaware County Health Department, and the City of Chester hosted an evening dinner event on Thursday, September 14, to highlight the dangers of lead poisoning in the Chester community.
Chester is an old industrial city with a history of industries that weren’t always socially responsible when it came to the disposal of chemicals and pollutants. This coupled with the fact that many of the homes in the city date back prior to 1978, make lead a major problem for Chester and other underserved areas.
With new enterprises looking to do business in the city and the uptick in housing renovations by homeowners and outside investors, it’s essential to the health, safety, security, and overall welfare of the residents of Chester that the issue of lead poisoning be addressed.
Lead is a lethal, insidious metal that comes from the ground with no smell and is invisible to the naked eye. Lead can be found in paint and dust from older homes, candy, cosmetics, glazed pots, traditional medicines and spices from other countries, toys, jewelry, soil, and drinking water from lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures. Certain types of employment, such as auto refinishing, construction, and plumbing, can expose a person to lead. Lead poisoning can cause learning or behavioral difficulties in children. Pregnant women can be at risk for miscarriages, cause babies to be born too early, and hurt a baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous sys- tem.
Lead poisoning is dangerous, but it’s preventable. Preventing lead exposure in children under age six is especially important because as their bodies develop and grow–they’re more vulnerable to permanent damage.
There are actions you can take to avoid exposure to lead, such as changing clothes, removing shoes, and showering after coming indoors to avoid tracking lead into your home from soil, work sites, and hobbies. Clean your home once a week using a wet damp cloth, sponge, or mop, minimizing the dust that may contain lead. Wash your hands using warm soap and water, especially children’s hands–after outdoor activities. Be mindful that hand sanitizers containing alcohol do not remove lead.
There are two free lead testing ,…
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