KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A town hall meeting is planned for this evening in Kalamazoo regarding one of the biggest health problems in the state, other than COVID-19. Lead poisoning in children took center stage in Flint a few years ago. It’s also a problem in Kalamazoo. County Health Director Jim Rutherford says it impacts residents who live in older homes that were covered in lead-based paints before such products were banned.
“We know that they are occupied unfortunately by low-income families. They often go from one lead burdened home to another. Children can be exposed to lead in the home by paint, dust, soil, or drinking water.”
State Rep. Julie Rogers says help is available to remove the paint and address other sources.
“We’re very concerned about the number of children testing positive for lead in our community. Percentage-wise, it rivals Flint.”
She says it is a much bigger problem here than many realize. The town hall meeting is open to all interested parties. It begins at 5:30 at the Douglass Community Center on Patterson and should last about an hour.
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