There is an entirely preventable health disaster plaguing Pennsylvania that robs thousands of children of their potential and drains communities’ resources with avoidable costs – lead poisoning. This may surprise you because many folks think lead poisoning is a thing of the past.

As many as 70% of all PA homes today still have lead paint on their walls and trim. That old paint cracks, peels, and turns into dust, which young children get on their fingers and into their mouths and bodies. Black and Hispanic children have higher rates of lead paint poisoning because they are more likely to live in older private homes or rental units with deteriorated lead-based paint.

Lead is toxic. In children, this poisonous metal wreaks havoc, causing deficits in motor skills, speech, hearing, and cognitive ability. It can lead to attention deficit disorder and push children into special education. Down the road, adult victims of this avoidable condition can earn less, be more prone to reckless behavior and crime, and rely more on public aid.

LEAD PAINT POISONING PRIORITIES

• Get lead out of homes.
• Guarantee all children get tested twice for lead at ages one and two.
• Ensure all poisoned children are referred to Early Intervention services.

Lead Free Philly

Although it is entirely preventable, childhood lead poisoning remains a stubbornly intractable health problem in southeastern Pennsylvania – particularly in Philadelphia. We are pleased to report that thousands fewer children in Philadelphia have been harmed by lead over the last decade – in part because of Children First’s and our partners’ steadfast efforts to raise public awareness, change housing and health policies and facilitate the passage of a new Philadelphia law.