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Release Date: September 13, 2011 City of San Antonio Communications Office: 207-7234 Free San Antonio Green and Healthy Homes Lead Awareness Fair to tackle Bexar County's high lead poisoning rate -Studies show children are most vulnerable- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly a quarter of a million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to cause significant damage to their health.* Locally, Bexar County has the second highest rate of blood lead poisoning in the State of Texas, with children living in the 78207 and 78202 zip codes at most risk.** To raise awareness of this issue, the City's Planning and Community Development Department is hosting the San Antonio Green and Healthy Homes Lead Awareness Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at the Sonny Melendrez Community Center, 5909 W. Commerce. The event is free. Children diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels of 10 mg/Dl or higher are considered to have lead poisoning. Blood level screenings are imperative because lead exposure can lead to learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing and even brain damage.*** Because the major sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings, families living in homes built before 1978 are most at risk. Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable. To control lead-based paint hazards, the City's Green and Healthy Homes initiative provides financial assistance to owners and landlords of residential properties to rehab the contaminated home. Low income families with children ages five and under who live in homes built before 1978 residing in Bexar County qualify. More information about the program will be available at the fair. In addition to information on how to prevent lead exposure, event attendees can get information on weatherization, water conservation and fire safety. For more information, call (210) 207-4444. *Center Disease Control and Prevention, based on data from a 2003–2004 national survey. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/nlppw.htm **Texas Department of State Health Services, 2010 *** U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/lpandyce.pdf |
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