Media Notice

Lead Safe Housing Focus of Annual Lead Poisoning Prevention Conference and Awards

Event: The Rhode Island Department of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is sponsoring the 2005 Annual Lead Poisoning Prevention Conference. Highlights of the event include:

•  Release of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program's report, Childhood Lead Poisoning in Rhode Island: The Numbers, 2005 Edition, which contains data on lead poisoning rates throughout the state.

•  Rebecca Morley, Executive Director of the National Center for Healthy Housing, will speak about lead safe housing and lead poisoning.

•  Mary Jean Brown, ScD, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will discuss blood lead intervention levels.

•  Peter Simon, MD, Medical Director of Rhode Island's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, will discuss Rhode Island's Plan to Eliminate Lead Poisoning by 2010 .

•  Excellence Awards and Certificates of Appreciation will be presented to partners for outstanding efforts to support the elimination of childhood lead poisoning. Award recipients include Patricia Nolan, MD, MPH, former Director of the Department of Health; Representative Joe Almeida (D-District 12, Providence) in addition to property owners, pediatric practices and laboratories.

When: Monday, May 9, 2005

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Ave., Warwick, RI

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Contact: Magaly C. Angeloni, Lead Poisoning Prevention Manager, (401) 222-4602

•  Lead poisoning is the leading childhood environmental health problem. In 2004, one in 20 RI children under the age of six in were lead poisoned--more than double the CDC's national estimate of one in 50 children.

•  This year's conference will discuss the challenges in preventing lead poisoning in a state where 80% of the housing potentially contains lead paint hazards. The speakers will also recommend strong partnerships with housing advocates to support the Lead Hazard Mitigation Law and review legislation to protect children by setting standards for safe and routine maintenance of rental properties.

•  About one hundred representatives from advocacy groups, community organizations, state agencies, health plans, housing agencies, and other childhood programs are expected to attend the event.

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