Oct. 20-26 is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week; Maryland celebrates pioneering law
BALTIMORE (Oct. 21, 2024) – The Maryland Department of the Environment today celebrated the 30th anniversary of the law establishing the state’s lead poisoning prevention program by connecting families with assistance at the Eutaw Meridian Park Community Day and Resource Fair in Baltimore.
Maryland’s Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing law, enacted in 1994, has dramatically reduced rates of childhood lead poisoning across the state. Today’s fair, coordinated by the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative and held at Eutaw Meridian Park in Baltimore, offered information to help parents in some of the state’s most vulnerable communities eliminate childhood exposure to lead.
“The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to ending child poverty, and we’ve made a lot of progress in reducing childhood lead poisoning. Now we must eliminate this threat once and for all,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “We are excited to mark 30 years of combatting lead poisoning and advancing environmental justice with a whole-of-community approach working together as partners.”
The Department of the Environment works in coordination with the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, local authorities and advocacy groups. Governor Wes Moore has proclaimed Oct. 20-26 Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Maryland. “Bright futures begin lead-free” is the theme of this year’s national awareness week.
“The Maryland Department of Health is happy with the progress that has been made over the last 30 years in ensuring a lead-free and healthy future for Maryland’s children,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “We will continue to partner with parents, communities, and health care providers, to prevent future exposures to lead and give every child a healthier start to life.”
“Maryland moms and dads all want to raise their children in a safe home, free of silent health risks, and we have made significant progress towards that goal over the last three decades,” said DHCD Secretary Jake Day. “The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is proud to partner with our fellow state agencies and local partners to prevent lead poisoning and ensure future generations grow up healthy.”
“Building on the work of Parents Against Lead, the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative was founded 31 years ago by a group of Baltimore City parents whose children had been poisoned by the lead paint in their homes. Since that time, we have worked tirelessly to help thousands of families and hundreds of communities in Maryland and around the country build brighter futures for their children by advancing efforts to eliminate all sources of lead poisoning in housing,” said Ruth Ann Norton, President & CEO, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative. “Maryland’s 99% reduction in childhood lead poisoning over the last 30 years is an admirable achievement, and now is our opportunity to close this final gap and ensure that 100% of our children are free from the toxic legacy of lead.”
In 1993, one in four children were found to have a blood level at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter. Exposure to lead can cause serious harm to a child’s health, including slowed growth and development and learning and behavior problems.
The lead level originally defined as “elevated” started at 15 micrograms per deciliter but is now 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. A finding of this level in a child now triggers notifications to parents and property owners and medical and environmental case management for children.
The law originally required steps to reduce lead risks in rental properties built before 1950. In 2015, the law was expanded to apply to properties built before 1978, when lead paint for housing was banned nationally. In 2016, testing of children ages 1 and 2 for lead became mandatory throughout Maryland. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should talk to their health care provider about getting a blood lead test.
The burden of lead poisoning falls disproportionately on low-income families, with an estimated half to three quarters of medical cases or enforcement actions against rental property owners taking place in overburdened communities. However, lead poisoning crosses all socioeconomic and geographic boundaries. Other sources of lead besides paint include: products, such as food, cosmetics, traditional medicines and toys, imported from other countries; older collectible items and toys; dust brought into the home from work or hobbies; contaminated soil; and drinking water.
Additional information is on our website.
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