City of Cleveland and the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition Announce National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Events

October 20, 2022 — Cleveland — This year’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) will take place October 23 - 29. NLPPW is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, and local governments to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness.  
 
In recognition of the week, the City of Cleveland and the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition are teaming up to host various awareness events and activities across the city:  
 
Monday, October 24 – “Light Up the City Green” 
Cleveland City Hall and Terminal Tower are set to turn their lights green in honor of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. They invite businesses and organizations across downtown Cleveland to do the same.
  
Monday, October 24 - Department of Building and Housing Condition and Need Survey Kick-Off
Under the leadership of Director Sally Martin, the Department of Building and Housing will kick off a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind housing survey to assess the condition and need across the city. These surveys will take place throughout the week.  
 
Thursday, October 27, 8 a.m. – Lead Screening and Testing Commission 
Under the leadership of Cleveland Department of Public Health Director Dr. David Margolius, the City’s Lead Screening and Testing Commission is holding a virtual meeting to discuss increasing childhood screening and testing rates. Watch here.
 
Thursday, October 27 – Life Without Lead Summit 
The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition will join representatives from across the country at the virtual Life Without Lead Summit hosted by Lead Safe Allegheny. The Coalition will be presenting on a panel entitled “Funding for a Lead-Free Future” and sharing some of our successes with the Lead Safe Home Fund. Registration is free Webinar Registration - Zoom  
 
Friday, October 28, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3 - 6 p.m. – Sign making parties at Cleveland City Hall and the Lead Safe Resource Center
Cleveland City Hall and the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition will be hosting two sign making parties. Come make a sign in preparation for Saturday’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Walk and Rally. Cleveland City Hall will host a session from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. during Food Truck Fridays at Willard Park and in the Rotunda. The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition will host a second sign party from 3 - 6 p.m. at the Lead Safe Resource Center, located at 4600 Euclid Ave.
 
Saturday, October 29, 10:30 a.m. - Lead Poisoning Prevention Walk and Rally 
Join Mayor Bibb and the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition for a walk across the Hope Memorial Bridge. All community members are welcome to participate in the symbolic walk to show solidarity as a city to create a #LeadSafeCLE. Walkers will meet at the Western Reserve Fire Museum at 10:30am to walk the bridge, ending at Market Square Plaza for a brief rally, refreshments, and a raffle.  
 
“Data has shown that 25% of children tested in Cleveland under the age of six have been exposed to lead prior to kindergarten. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is a reminder of the importance of education and an opportunity to encourage residents to get their homes and children tested. We must continue to work together to ensure every home is safe and no more children are lead poisoned,” Mayor Bibb said.
 
“I am committed to working with all our city departments and external partners including the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, hospitals and other non-profit organizations on eradicating lead hazards from Cleveland. Together, we are focused on increasing awareness about lead and its possible hazards, and expanding access to testing and remediation of potential and existing lead hazard properties,” Karen Dettmer, Senior Lead Strategist for the City of Cleveland, added.
 
“No child in Cleveland should be poisoned by lead. We need to work together to make our city lead safe. We are urging everyone with questions about lead poisoning prevention to call the Lead Safe Resource Center and join the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition. Together we can keep our children safe so they can thrive in the great city of Cleveland,” said Kim Foreman – CEO of Environmental Health Watch, Administrator of the Lead Safe Resource Center and chair of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition’s Community Engagement Committee.
 
About the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition  
The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition (LSCC) is a public-private partnership formed in 2019 to address the public health crisis of lead poisoning in our community. The cornerstone of the Coalition’s work is supporting the City of Cleveland’s Lead Safe Certification law which requires residential rental properties built before 1978 to be proactively certified as lead safe. Lead is an environmental toxin that affects the brain, heart, bones, kidneys, and nervous system, and there are no safe levels once it is in the bloodstream. The Coalition is implementing an alternative, preventative approach that saves money and protects Cleveland’s children from lead poisoning. LSCC is open to everyone and comprises more than 500 members and 140 organizations, state and local governments, and families impacted by lead. To learn more, go to https://leadsafecle.org/. Email: info@leadsafecle.org. Social Media: @LeadSafeCLE.