|
Gongwer News
Service, August 6, 2003
A new private poll underscores the potential danger to children due to
exposure to lead, with at least an estimated 52,000 at risk. The poll
by EPIC/MRA follows Monday's announcement by Governor Jennifer
Granholm for enhanced education to new parents and stepped up testing
for children in low-income families.
The estimates extrapolated from matching responses in the July
29-August 4 survey of 600 households with state Census data concluded
at least 52,000 children are in households with lead paint, based on
responses that 1.8 percent of the homes have such paint. Another 4.3
percent of households said they had lead pipes in their homes, meaning
102,000 children are exposed.
EPIC/MRA Vice President Ed Sarpolus said the numbers indicate that
after years of knowing the problem exists, "This poll suggests people
know about the problem, and we're not doing anything about it."
He said the problem becomes an issue as the state succeeds in
reclaiming housing in urban core areas where old lead-based paint is
more likely to be present. In many cases, he said there is no
assurance that the lead paint is not being painted over with newer
paints.
Granholm press secretary Liz Boyd said the administration's proposals
do constitute "a very aggressive action plan," adding the governor
hopes for work to begin this fall. "We have laid out an administrative
and legislative response to the problem and one that we obviously have
support from legislators."
In addition to new efforts to disseminate information on lead testing
to new parents, lead clean up assistance will be available through the
Michigan State Housing Development Authority and proposed legislation
includes a registry for homes that are lead-safe.
|
