| Lead poisoning is acknowledged by the Michigan Surgeon General as the number one environmental health hazard for Michigan
children; and, Michigan ranks among the top six states for childhood lead poisoning. |
What is Lead Poisoning?
The major source of lead exposure among children still remains lead-based paint in housing built prior to 1978 and lead-contaminated dust found in the nearly 1.3 million occupied housing units in Michigan containing lead paint hazards.
How does lead affect public health and the environment?
Small children are at the greatest risk. Children are highly sensitive because their bodies, nervous systems and brains are still rapidly developing, and although rates of lead poisoning statistically are higher among low-income children, lead poisoning can affect any family regardless of socioeconomic group, geographic area, or racial or ethnic population.What do we know about lead in homes in Ann Arbor?
85.2% (17,937 homes) of the housing stock in Ann Arbor was built prior to 1978, with approximately 9965 children under the age of 6 living in them.
How many children have tested positive for lead?
As of October 2007, only 755 children had been tested for elevated blood lead levels in the City of Ann Arbor, with 13% of those children testing positive for lead poisoning.
Is lead poisoning preventable?
Poisoning by lead-based paint, household dust and other sources is entirely preventable. Lead poisoning awareness and prevention activities help protect the citizens of Ann Arbor, especially our children. To be successful, efforts to reduce childhood lead poisoning must begin with a heightened awareness on the part of all citizens about the dangers of lead hazards.
Information on lead poisoning and awareness is available by contacting the Office of Community Development; Additionally, financial and technical assistance for lead hazard remediation may also be available to qualified City property owners of housing units occupied or visited by children six years old and under, by contacting The Office Of Community Development at 622-9025.