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Lead-based Paint Dangerous for Children

Young children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning since they are more likely to ingest lead paint chips, flakes, or dust and are more sensitive to the adverse health effects of lead. Elevated lead levels in young children can trigger

• learning disabilities
• decreased growth
• hyperactivity
• impaired hearing
• brain damage

Lead can be found in a number of places inside and outside the home. For example, lead can be found in household dust from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into the house. It can also be found in drinking water coming from old lead pipes, fixtures and solder.

"Childhood lead poisoning is easily preventable with the right information and awareness. This grant will help Arizona tribal communities raise awareness about preventing lead's adverse health effects," said Administrator Jackson. "This project is an important example of the efforts happening across the country to protect our children from a major health threat."

Lead-based Paint Outreach to Native American Tribes

The Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona is developing culturally specific outreach materials to educate tribal families, especially parents of young children, and tribal staff on the health risks to children from exposure to lead-based paint.

Lead Awareness for Facility Maintenance Personnel

The program specifically reaches out to facility maintenance personnel to stress the importance of using lead-safe work practices when renovating buildings.

The use of lead-based paint in U.S. residential housing was banned in 1978.

Approximately 75% of the U.S. housing stock built before 1978, or 64 million homes, contain some lead-based paint.

For information on EPA's lead paint program, go to: http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/lead

For information on lead in paint, dust and soil, visit: http://www.epa.gov/lead

For information on protecting your family from lead hazards, visit: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm#where

The Green Schools Initiative points out that a large portion of our population spends their days in unhealthy buildings.  And those are our children.  Greening schools can improve the health and learning productivity of our children...and our future doctors and bosses and in-laws!

Learn more about these "7 Steps to Green Your School" at the website of The Green Schools Initiative...your children are depending on your voice being heard, and your handy man and woman skills being put to work for them.

1.  Establish a Green Team or Eco-committee
2. Adopt an environmental Vision Statement
3. Conduct a School Environmental Survey or Audit
4. Create a Green School Action Plan
5. Monitor and Evaluate Progress
6.  Integrate Greening into the Curriculum
7. Inform, Involve and Celebrate!

The "7 Steps to Green Your School" is adapted from Eco-Schools International,

http://www.eco-schools.org/aboutus/howitworks.htm

Green Schools Initiative

GreenSchools.net