New Rules to Protect Children from Lead Poisoning

Posted by Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) on March 16, 2021

Did you know there is a new law in Philadelphia to get toxic lead out of apartments and rental homes? Please help us share the news far and wide so parents, landlords, and tenants know that help is available for them to protect young children from lead poisoning.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is holding free information sessions for parents, tenants, landlords, and organizations to learn how to prevent children from being poisoned by the chipping and flaking lead paint in their homes.

Here’s how you can help spread the word:

1. Download and share the information flyer.
2. Share these Facebook and Twitter posts.
3. Print copies of the flyer and distribute them in the targeted zip codes.
4. Sign up online or call 215-298-2027 to schedule a free info session for your next virtual meeting with your neighborhood CDC, co-workers, or local landlords.

Brewerytown, Bridesburg, Center City West, Germantown, Manayunk, Mt. Airy, North Philly, Overbrook, Port Richmond, SW Philly, West Park, and West Philly are among the first neighborhoods to qualify for assistance. The full list of eligible zip codes is on the flyer.

Lead poisoning is a problem that many people thought went away when lead-based paint was banned back in the 1970s. But sadly, about 2,000 Philadelphia kids are poisoned by lead every year, most of them by chipping and flaking lead paint still in their homes or apartments.

Even the smallest amount of lead in the blood can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, leading to hearing, speech, and learning problems. Black and Hispanic children are disproportionately poisoned because they are more likely to live in older properties built before lead in paint was finally banned for residential use.