PORT BYRON, Ill. - To highlight the importance of reducing risks of lead poisoning, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is encouraging residents to join him in raising awareness of the consequences of lead poisoning in honor of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 25 through 31.
"As a state representative, anything I can do to help residents reduce their risk of serious health complications is important to me," Smiddy said. "Lead poisoning is a serious condition, and everyone should understand the risk factors and warning signs of dangerous exposure, especially for children."
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is observed every year during the last week in October. During this week, many states and communities offer free blood-lead testing and conduct various education and awareness events. This year's NLPPW theme, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning's serious health effects. Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable.
According the Mayo Clinic, lead poisoning can be difficult to detect, but initial signs in children include slow growth and development, irritability, weight loss, fatigue, vomiting and hearing loss. Adults experiencing lead sickness may notice high blood pressure; abdominal, join and muscle pain; numbness and tingling in the extremities; and memory loss. To reduce your family's risk of exposure to lead, clean and dust your home regularly, ensure painted surfaces are not deteriorated, address water damage quickly and flush water outlets used for drinking and food preparation.
"If we educate ourselves on the cause of lead poisoning and making a few lifestyle changes we can greatly reduce the risk of developing lead poisoning," Smiddy said. "Despite tremendous progress in eliminating the potential for lead poisoning, the risk remains a part of our lives, and it's important we all ensure our homes are safe."
For more information on lead poisoning and resources to keep your home safe, visit http://www2.epa.gov/lead/lead-
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