Protecting children from the danger of lead poisoning

Posted October 20, 2015 11:00 pm

Kane County Health Department

Oct. 26-31 has been proclaimed as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week by the Kane County Board.

Illinois has a high incidence of lead poisoning compared to other states. They want Kane County residents to be aware of lead poisoning prevention because, as the saying goes: "Kane Kids Run Better Unleaded."

Understanding the importance of lead poisoning prevention, 14 local home improvement stores have partnered with Kane County Healthy Places Coalition to protect children from its lethal dangers.

Unlike other minerals such as iron, lead should not be in the human body at any level. It can cause such symptoms as developmental delay, learning difficulties, and stomach complaints. Chipping paint and lead dust are the common sources of lead and often found in homes built before 1978.

To promote lead awareness, the Healthy Places Coalition of Kane County is partnering with local home improvement stores to educate residents and make their safe lead removal supplies highly visible. Stop by your local home improvement store and find out how you can protect your family from lead poisoning.

For more information about the Healthy Places Coalition, visit www.kanehealth.com/healthy_places.htm or contact Terry Roman at (630) 264-7653 or RomanTerry@co.kane.il.us.

You will find more information about the Health Department's Childhood Lead Prevention Program is available by visiting www.kanehealth.com/lead.htm.

The following is a list of retail stores participating in Lead Poisoning Prevention Week awareness:

• Home Depot, 1250 N. Orchard Road, Aurora

• Home Depot, 2111 S. Randall Road, Geneva

• Home Depot, 440 Randall Road, South Elgin

• Sugar Grove Ace Hardware, 160 E. Galena Blvd.,

• Ace Hardware, 2144 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora

• Ace Hardware, 994 N. Lake St., Aurora

• Ace Hardware, 1901 W. Wilson St., Batavia

• DG Ace Hardware, 2650 E. Main St., St. Charles

• Geneva Ace Hardware, 617 W. State St., Geneva

• Lowe's, 955 S. Randall Road, St. Charles

• Ziegler's Ace Hardware, 301 Randall Road, South Elgin

• Ziegler's Ace Hardware, 1158 Lillian St., Elgin

• Ziegler's Ace Hardware, 215 N. Spring St., Elgin

• Ziegler's Ace Hardware, 150 S. Kennedy Drive, Meadowdale Shopping Center, Carpentersville

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