National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 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, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is being held during the week of October 20 through October 26, 2013, in order to raise awareness of the consequences of lead poisoning among parents and pregnant women who live in homes built before 1978; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Public Health joins 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 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 20 through October 26, 2013, as

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

in the state of the Alabama.