KDHE Home - News 2001 - New Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
November 20, 2001
Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-5795
The Kansas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (KCLPP) has issued more than $20,000 in grants to local agencies to reduce the risk of lead exposure to Kansas children. The following groups will make screening and education available to 32 percent of the children under the age of 5 in Kansas:
The local grants are funded by money from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, and from federal Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention grants received by the KCLPPP. Grants will provide for education and outreach to the public and support local coalitions to review, develop, improve and oversee local services related to risk reduction, screening and follow-up care. The intent of these grants is to mobilize resources for primary prevention at the local level.
The local programs will feature lead screening events leading to an increased number of children tested for lead poisoning.
Also, educational public service announcements and media events will be held in coordination with other child health programs such as WIC to encourage participants to limit lead exposure, and more. Programs begin in January and will run at least until June 30, 2002.
Childhood lead poisoning is a major, preventable environmental health problem in the United States. More than 80 percent of all homes in Kansas were built before 1978 and most of these still contain some lead-based paint. Blood lead levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter have been associated with harmful effects on children's ability to learn. Levels greater that 70 micrograms per deciliter can cause devastating health consequences, including seizures, coma and death.
For information regarding the Kansas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, or lead-based paint issues, call the KCLPPP toll-free at 1-888-291-2821 or visit the program's Web site at www.kdheks.gov/lead/.
(Note: Since this news release was posted, the phone number for the Kansas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has been changed to: (866)-UNLEADEDKS or (866)-865-3233.)