News Releases from Region 06

EPA Protects Arkansas Children, Citizens from Lead

DALLAS - (July 31, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded $243,007 to Arkansas Department of Health to administer and enforce the state's lead based paint program. The funds will enable training for lead inspectors, lead enforcement activities and help protect children from lead poisoning.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about four million households have children living in them that are being exposed to high levels of lead. There are also approximately 500,000 U.S. children that have elevated blood levels and require public health intervention. Major sources of lead exposure among children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings. Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable.

Here are a few simple tips to help protect your children:

For more information on lead, visit: http://www.epa.gov/lead/ or 800-424-LEAD.

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