Health & Fitness
Baltimore Health Department Launches Campaign To Eliminate Lead Poisoning In Children
Only half of 1 and 2-year-olds in Baltimore have been tested for lead poisoning, which is "not enough," the city's health commissioner said.
BALTIMORE — High levels of lead in Baltimore has resulted in lead poisoning cases popping up across the City for decades. While the City Health Department has long been working to reduce the poisoning, it launched a new campaign Wednesday to try to get more children tested for lead.
Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa said Wednesday that just over 50 percent of the City’s children between the ages of one and two have been tested for it. "We believe that testing for half our children is not enough so we’re here today to renew our commitment and increase our testing numbers," the commissioner said.
In addition to the new emphasis on testing, the health department will also work to give resources on lead poisoning to pediatricians and launch an MTA campaign next month- which will target bus shelters and neighborhoods with a high prevalence of lead poisoning. The goal is to educate residents on the effects of lead.
