In the last month, more than six children in Kansas City have tested positive for high levels of lead poisoning.
“Between 800 and 1200 children in Kansas City are lead poisoned at any give time,” said Amy Roberts, who manages the health department’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Healthy Homes Program.
We're working on an important story about #leadpoisoning for @41actionnews at 10. It's information every parents NEEDS to know... pic.twitter.com/eUFz5i2pSL
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) June 28, 2017
The number of poisonings, according to Roberts, is largely concentrated in poor neighborhoods where the homes are older. Homes built before 1978 are at the highest risk because that is when lead paint was allowed to be used for residential purposes.
Window and door trims, as well as wooden porches, are a common source of toxic lead dust.
According to Roberts, a tiny amount of paint dust can damage a young child’s brain forever.
“Lead paint breaks down into chips but also breaks down into really fine dust that can get on toys and gets on pacifiers and bottles and things that get on the floor and kids pick up and put on their mouth,” she said. “In the short-term, we can see stomach upset, sometimes some regression, sometimes some speech delay. We can also see lead that’s stored in the bones that comes out to cause damage later in a person’s life.”
Project Lead Safe Kansas City
The health department offers free services for families, which includes testing children for lead poisoning and removing lead hazards from homes.
Sonyetta McLaughlin took advantage of the program when she discovered her six kids tested positive for lead poisoning at a free back-to-school event.
“I was so nervous,” the mother told 41 Action News. “I was heartbroken because I was supposed to protect my kids.”
Like many families in the city, McLaughlin never knew her porch or windows contained lead paint. She did not even know about the short-term and long-term effects lead had.
Symone, Cordei & Elwin are brothers and sisters. They also have all been poisoned by lead from their home @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/Qf8vFwJOZK
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) June 28, 2017
All three siblings tested positive for lead poisoning.
“Once all of the lead was removed the [Health Department] was able to teach me how to keep the windows and porch lead-free,” said McLaughlin.
The program is funded by the city and by grants. On Monday, the Health Department received a $2.9 million grant from HUD to continue to help with restoration. According to Roberts, it should help more than 152 homes.
To Qualify for the Program
- You must own or rent a home in Kansas City, MO that was built before 1978
- Your household income must be less than 80 percent of the area’s median income
- You have a child younger than 6-years-old who lives in your home or visits the home more than 10 hours a week
- You can fill out an application by visiting kcmo.gov/health or calling 816-723-3418
