Hundreds of Kent County children are needlessly poisoned by lead every year.

To help our community's children thrive and succeed in life, we need to promise our children that the homes where they live are free from lead hazards. Lead poisoning is 100% preventable. If homes are made lead safe, children will be protected.

The Source

An estimated 90% of all childhood lead poisoning cases in Kent County are the result of deteriorating lead-based paint and lead dust found in the home. This dangerous dust can be found in any home built before 1978, the year lead-based paint was banned. More than 85% of the housing stock in the City of Grand Rapids, and many others throughout Kent County, were built before 1978.

Who is at Risk?

Infants and toddlers have the highest risk of being lead poisoned, especially when they are beginning to move around on their own.

What are the Symptoms?

There are no reliable symptoms of lead poisoning that can help parents detect the problem. Waiting for symptoms is dangerous, as visible symptoms come too late — after long-lasting damage to the child. Instead of relying on symptoms, parents should get a blood test for their child as recommended.

The Effects of Lead

• Brain damage
• Poor physical growth and development
• Social problems
• Behavioral problems
• Problems in school, learning disabilities
  

Solutions

Lead poisoning is 100% preventable! Making homes lead-safe prevents children from being poisoned. This website provides pages that can help Parents, Landlords and Community Partners in their efforts to protect our children.

To learn more about making homes lead-safe, contact the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan at (616) 241-3300.