National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly a quarter million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to cause significant damage to their health; and

WHEREAS, if high blood lead levels are not detected early, children can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system and develop behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing issues and aggressive behavior patterns; and

WHEREAS, to raise awareness of the consequences of lead poisoning among parents and pregnant women who live in homes built before 1978, the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Jefferson County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 23 through 29, 2011; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Jefferson County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in encouraging parents to learn more about lead poisoning prevention; and

WHEREAS, this year’s NLPPW theme, “Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future,” underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects; and

WHEREAS, established in 1999 by the U.S. Senate, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week occurs every year during the last week in October:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 23 through 29, 2011, as

National Lead Poisoning

Prevention Week

in the State of the Alabama.

 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 18th day of October 2011.

 

                                                                                 ___Governor Robert Bentley