Lead Still a Hazard for Millions of Children in the United States

CHATSWORTH, Calif. - Feb. 11, 2014 - PRLog -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are approximately half a million U.S. children, ages 1-5, with blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which the agency recommends to initiate public health actions.  The agency also states that there are at least 4 million households with children that are being exposed to high levels of lead.

People have known about the hazards associated with exposure to lead for many years. Young children are at the greatest risk of developing lead poisoning because their bodies are growing rapidly and due to the fact that they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths.   Lead poisoning is preventable.

One of the most significant sources of lead exposure is caused by lead-based paints.  Many properties built prior to the ban of lead-based paints in the late 1970s contain potential lead hazards.  It is the deterioration of this paint, or its disturbance due to activities such as remodeling and demolition, that often causes an exposure risk.

“It is important for parents to know if lead-based paints are in their home and where their children play,” said Robert Clark, Principal of Clark Seif Clark.  “Fortunately, there are fast and highly accurate testing methods available.  At CSC, our environmental professionals provide lead testing services for both residential and commercial customers.  These services also allow companies to comply with the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule and the Toxic Substances Act.”

CSC recently sponsored an educational video about protecting children from lead poisoning that can be seen at:

http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U



To learn more about testing for lead or about Clark Seif Clark’s other services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark

CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.