State announces meetings on lead poisoning

MORRISON – The Illinois Department of Public Health Lead Program meetings to inform changes in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Renovation, Repair and Painting lead law from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 22 at the I-Wireless Center, 1201 River Drive, Moline; and from 9 a.m. to noon March 1 at Rock Valley College, 3301 North Mulford Road, Rockford.

The law, that went into effect April 22, 2010, requires contractors and property managers to replace windows or renovate residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Common activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can disturb lead-based paint creating hazardous lead dust and chips, which can be harmful to children and adults.

In 2011, there were 15 cases of high lead levels in children in Whiteside County.

Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/.JNJJKHH for more information about the law. For more information on the meeting, call 217-782-3517.