KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The city of Kalamazoo is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week this week.
Lead was commonly used in construction and household paints until 1978. It has been banned in paint, but it remains a hazard in older homes and can be especially dangerous to children. City officials note even very low levels of lead in children’s bodies is linked to negative effects on behavior, academic achievement, intellect, and concentration.
The city’s observance is meant to showcase Kalamazoo as a city committed to being a lead-safe community.
This year’s observance follows the community education event from last Thursday at the Edison Neighborhood Association that marked the city’s 5,000th lead service line being replaced.
Public services director James Baker says lead service line replacements in the Edison neighborhood will start in November, and by December the city is expected to complete lead service pipe replacements on streets in the Northside Neighborhood, on the west side of the city, and in the West Douglas and Fairmont areas.
The city has a goal of replacing all 10,000 lead service lines in the next 10 years.
Kalamazoo also has its Lead-Based Paint Hazard Remediation Program started in 2018 with KNHS Home Ownership Services along with free lead and copper testing to residents upon request.
Along with the city, Kalamazoo County has a Lead Poisoning Prevention Program including a designated nurse to help educate families about early lead testing and to decrease the incidence of lead poisoning in children.
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