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

OCTOBER 19, 2023 — CLEVELAND – This year’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) will take place October 22 – 28, 2023. 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 23
Light the City Green for Lead Week 
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. 
  
9 a.m. Cleveland City Hall Lead Week Kick-Off  
Cleveland City Hall will host a kickoff rally with the presentation of a lead week proclamation by Mayor Justin M. Bibb. This year’s theme is COLLABORATION to represent everyone coming together to make Cleveland a Lead Safe City.  

Tuesday, October 24
4 p.m. Lead 101 
The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, in partnership with University Hospitals will be hosting a Lead 101 training at Dave’s Market in Midtown. During our Lead 101 training, we will present information on the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, resources available, and information on lead poisoning prevention. Register. 
 
Thursday, October 26
8 a.m. Lead Screening and Testing Commission  
Under the leadership of Director David Margolius, Department of Public Health, the City’s Lead Screening and Testing Commission is holding a virtual meeting to discuss increasing childhood screening and testing rates. Watch here. 
 
5 – 7 p.m. Sign making party at the Lead Safe Resource Center  
The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition will be hosting a sign making party at the Lead Safe Resource Center (4600 Euclid Ave, Suite 300-320, Cleveland, OH 44103). Come make a sign in preparation for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Walk.  

Friday, October 27
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sign making party at Cleveland City Hall  
Cleveland City Hall will be hosting a sign making party during Food Truck Fridays at Willard Park and in the Rotunda. Come make a sign in preparation for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Walk.  
 
Saturday, October 28
10 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 a.m. to walk the bridge, ending at Fairview Park in Ohio City for a rally, refreshments, lead resources, and a raffle. Register. 
 
“National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is a reminder of the importance of education and an opportunity to encourage residents to take steps to protect their families,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Along with our partners, we are focused on increasing awareness about lead and its hazards, expanding access to testing and remediation and cracking down on enforcement of our lead safe ordinance to protect Cleveland’s kids.”  

“The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition has demonstrated the power of bringing community together to tackle and prevent lead poisoning in the City of Cleveland. The Lead Safe Resource Center is positioned to support and partner with those who want to be part of the solution creating lead safe and healthy homes for the families who need it the most,” 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.  
 
Download calendar of events.
 

 
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 150 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.