Chenango County Department of Public Health staff began their 12th annual Lead Walk on May 15. Staff will visit the towns of Afton, Bainbridge, Greene, Guilford, New Berlin, Norwich, Oxford, Sherburne, Smyrna, South New Berlin, and South Otselic, and leave door hangers on the front door of every residence with information about lead poisoning and cardiovascular health. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The Chenango County Department of Public Health will be visiting area towns to educate the community on the dangers of Lead and Lead Poisoning.

The theme of the 12th annual Lead Walk is “Gardening and Your Safety,” and beginning May 15, we will visit the towns of Afton, Bainbridge, Greene, Guilford, New Berlin, Norwich, Oxford, Sherburne, Smyrna, South New Berlin, and South Otselic. Public health staff will leave door hangers on the front door of every residence in your town or village. The door hanger contains information about lead poisoning and cardiovascular health.

Staff members will keep track of the distance they walk with a team goal of covering 200 miles by the end of June.

Lead is a poisonous metal found in some Chenango County residents’ homes or yards. Lead poisoning is commonly seen in young children with hand-to-mouth behavior, but it can affect anyone. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also a concern as it places their unborn or newborn child at risk when exposed to high lead levels.

Lead travels throughout the body in the bloodstream. When you are pregnant, your baby can be exposed through your blood. Babies exposed to lead can be born early or small. Children exposed to lead may have poor brain development or learning disabilities.

In 1978, the United States banned the use of lead in paint production, but some older homes still have lead paint. As the home ages and the paint deteriorates, it causes dust that is released into the air. This dust can land on surfaces throughout the home and is inhaled or ingested in the mouth, causing lead poisoning.

If you would like to explore lead poisoning more, visit www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead and www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/default.htm

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at 607-337-1660.

-Information provided by the Chenango County Department of Public Health