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National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2021

October 24-30 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. It’s vital for the safety of your family to ensure that your home is lead-free. Learn the facts below from the CDC, and then contact DURA today to see how we can help maintain the safety of your family and home.

Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards particularly to children and pregnant women.

About 3.3 million American households, including 2.1 million low-income households, have children under 6 years of age who live in homes with lead exposure hazards.

• • • If your home was built before 1978, you can get it tested for lead-based paint by:
    • A lead-based paint inspection that tells you if your home has lead-based paint and where it is located.
    • A lead risk assessment that tells you if your home currently has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust, or soil, and what actions to take to address those hazards.

Lead is a toxic element, especially in young children. When absorbed into the body, it can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and hearing and speech problems.

Lead poisoning is preventable! The key is preventing children from coming into contact with lead.

• • • Some ways children can become exposed to lead are:
    • Putting their hands or other lead-contaminated objects in their mouths.
    • Breathing or swallowing lead-contaminated dust.
    • Eating paint chips found in homes from peeling or faking lead-based paint.
    • Drinking water that comes from lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures.

To learn if you qualify for DURA housing rehabilitations, call DURA at (303) 534-3872 or apply online.