2,500 Georgia children test positive for lead exposure
<p>Georgia's epicenter for "high risk" childhood lead poisoning is in metro Atlanta. We can do better. </p>
It seemed a simple solution: paint manufacturers added lead to paint to make it last longer and stick to surfaces better. Even though the practice was banned in 1978, it remains the number one environmental hazard to young children.
Right now, 535,000 children under the age of five have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health, according to the CDC. Twenty-four million homes in the U.S. contained deteriorated lead-based paint. An 11Alive investigation found Metro Atlanta counties are the epicenter of Georgia's continuing lead problems.
Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Hall counties are all rated "high risk" for childhood lead poisoning, according to the Department of Public Health.
Watch Valerie Hoff's investigation starting Monday night at 11:00 pm.
In 2014, more than 2,500 children in Georgia tested positive for lead. See the county-by-county list of lead results here.
Children are especially susceptible because their bodies easily absorb lead, harmful to their developing organs. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, even low levels of lead can be harmful to children. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also at risk of passing along high levels of lead exposure.
Serious and permanent effects of lead poisoning include learning and behavior problems, poor mental health, hearing problems, organ failure, and brain damage.
How do you test your child for lead?
A simple blood test is used to measure a child's lead level. Your doctor or local health department can administer the test.
Who should test their home for lead?
Was your home built before 1978? Do you have children six or younger living in the home? Is there visible damage or peeling paint in the home, or outside in play areas? If you answered yes, you need to test your home.
FREE LEAD TEST GIVE-AWAY
11Alive News is partnering with 3M to give away 250 instant lead testing kits. The kits detect lead in painted wood, metal, vinyl, plastic, drywall, and plaster. We'll be giving away the kits at DeKalb County Fire Station #6 at 2522 McAfee Road in Decatur on Tuesday, May 3 from 5:00-7:00 pm.
Home lead kits can be an indicator, but the federal government suggests high-risk homes be inspected by a profession lead risk assessor (find a list here). A lead inspection takes about two hours. Workers will take samples of soil, dust, and paint to check for lead content.
What do you do if your home tests positive?
Georgia's Environmental Protection Division provides guidelines on lead-based paint renovation, repair, and painting. They have a list of contractors and training providers. They also issue certificates for lead-based paint abatement.
Help paying for testing and abatement
There are resources to help pay for lead paint testing, and to help mitigate the problem. The City of Atlanta was awarded a $2.1 million grant to help reduce lead hazards. There are income requirements (for example, a household of 4 income cannot exceed $64,400). Check the full requirements here.