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GR Baby Sent to Hospital with Lead Poisoning

"A ten-month old baby is at the DeVos Children’s Hospital after a severe case of lead poisoning that was discovered last week in Grand Rapids, " according to FOX-17 reporter Carl Apple.  The Healthy Homes Coalition worked with Carl to get this story out, hoping to alert the community to the fact that lead poisoning is still a very real and present danger in Grand Rapids.

CareSource Prevents Lead Poisoning

The CareSource Foundation recently awarded $7,500 to the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan to underwrite the cost of teaching parents how to check their homes for lead hazards.  It is anticipated that more than 100 families will be able to benefit from this service.



Get The Lead Out!

GTLO News/Events

GR Baby Sent to Hospital with Lead Poisoning

"A ten-month old baby is at the DeVos Children’s Hospital after a severe case of lead poisoning that was discovered last week in Grand Rapids, " according to FOX-17 reporter Carl Apple.  The Healthy Homes Coalition worked with Carl to get this story out, hoping to alert the community to the fact that lead poisoning is still a very real and present danger in Grand Rapids.

The situation is clearly tragic and was 100% preventable.  The Healthy Homes Coalition is proud of Randi Challendar, the baby's mother, for being brave and sharing her story.

Lead poisoning can be prevented in Grand Rapids.  This story heightens the need to take action.

  • Parents are reminded that all one and two year old children in Grand Rapids should be tested for lead at their well child visits (according to CDC and MDCH guidelines).  Health care providers should comply with this guidance.  In 2010, only 58% of Grand Rapids children were tested--that rate is far too low for a community that provides the region's health care.
  • Landlords are reminded to take lead-safe work practices seriously.  All landlords must be RRP certified and must use safe work practices.  Those that do not should be reported to the EPA for enforcement.
  • The community needs to set the expectation that children's housing is safe.  The Grand Rapids City Commission should act quickly to end the exemption for single-family rental housing from the requirement to be inspected and certified before occupancy.

UPDATE:  It was a long and stressful week for the family as they searched for lead-safe housing.  The Healthy Homes Coalition connected Randi and her family with lead-safe housing provided by LINC.  Thanks to the many folks who hustled to help this family out!


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Making sure children grow up in homes that are healthy and safe is everyone’s job!  The Healthy Homes Coalition is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Learn more about specific ways you can help protect children. Connect with us today!