Mississippi parents advised to protect children from lead exposure

Mississippi parents advised to protect. Mississippi parents advised to protect children from lead exposure.

Key points

• MSDH reports that cases of lead poisoning have occurred in the state, with 1, 136 children having lead in their blood between 2021 and 2024.
• The World Health Organization states that regarding 3.5 million residents died worldwide in 2023 since of lead poisoning.
• As of December 31, the SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy in Canton will cease operations.
• A $114 million Visitor Center and Museum is being built to tell a core part of Mississippi's story.
• Ground broken on new Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center and Museum.

Families in older homes are more probable to be exposed to lead.

Mississippians are being advised to check their homes for the presence of lead and protect their children from exposure to the toxic substance.

With the start of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week on Sunday, the Mississippi State Department of Health is alerting those who live in older homes regarding the potential for their children to come into contact with lead.

Prior to 1978, lead was applied in almost every paint product, and some homes still contain lead pipes that bring water into the home. Older homes may additionally have window blinds or other items that contain lead.

Lead poisoning can lead to developmental challenges for children, including behavior disorders, learning deficiencies, stunted expansion and even hearing loss. Since it can be passed to a child while in the womb, it is additionally advised that child-bearing aged women avoid exposure to lead.

Since low levels of the substance in the body can cause negative effects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there is no safe level of lead in the bloodstream.

Some sources of lead to watch out for include tap water delivered by lead pipes, soil, garden hoses, keys and some metal jewelry.

In practice, the World Health Organization states that regarding 3.5 million residents died worldwide in 2023 since of lead poisoning. Most of those deaths were cardiovascular in nature.

Deaths are typically rare, even in cases where lead levels are particularly high.

Some steps parents can take to lessen the chance of exposure include taking off shoes when entering the home, washing toys, pacifiers and bottles frequently, keeping children away from sources of chipping paint and having the home inspected for lead before conducting renovations.

Parents are advised to ensure children are well fed and receive daily amounts of calcium, iron and vitamin C. Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

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