Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, presented honorary scrolls to the winners of the Department of Public Health’s 2009 Lead Awareness Art Contest. The contest encouraged youth to demonstrate ways to reduce lead hazards in the home and environment through educational art.
This art contest helps educate parents, teachers and students by promoting awareness on lead poisoning prevention, said Supervisor Knabe, who led the presentation at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
The most common way children in Los Angeles County are poisoned is through exposure to lead-based paint, especially if it is deteriorating. Lead-based paint is commonly found in houses, apartments, and buildings built before 1979. Dust and chips from the paint can settle on toys, windowsills and floors, where they can be swallowed by children. In addition, some traditional or folk health remedies, imported dishes and ceramics, and imported candies may bring lead into the home.
In 2008, more than 900 children in Los Angeles County suffered from lead poisoning, which is as preventable as it is tragic, said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. This art contest is designed to highlight the problem and provide resources for families to address it.
Contestants’ entries were judged according to grade level, originality of art, and design quality. Judges also looked for a good demonstration of knowledge of lead sources, and different ways that lead poisoning can be prevented. The panel of judges included community stakeholders, staff from Public Health and community service organizations. Winning contestants received trophies and other prizes that were presented to them during school assemblies.
We promote the Lead Awareness Art Contest every year as a way to educate students, their parents, teachers and the community about lead poisoning prevention, said Angie Toyota, director of Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. In addition to the art contest, Public Health works with schools in a variety of ways, such as providing educational information at parent meetings.
Most children affected by lead poisoning do not look or act sick, so the only way to know if a child has been lead poisoned is through a blood test. Children under the age of six are at greatest risk of negative health effects, including permanent learning disabilities and behavior problems. Parents who suspect that their child has been lead poisoned are encouraged to take their children to a doctor and to specifically ask for a blood lead test. More information on lead poisoning prevention and lead-safe work practices is offered at 1-800-LA-4-LEAD or click here for more information.