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Parents in Puerto Rico Advised of Common Signs and Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Children

Zimmetry Environmental provides testing, consulting and compliance services to identify lead hazards in commercial and residential properties.


Bayamon, Puerto Rico – WEBWIRE

In Puerto Rico, if a property was built before 1978 there are regulations that require that if it is going to be demolished or renovated it needs to be inspected for the presence of lead.

Back in 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they had reached an agreement with a battery recycling company in Puerto Rico to prevent lead contamination from leaving the facility.  The recycling plant produced approximately 30 tons of lead per day and there were concerns about workers, their children and nearby residents being at risk of lead poisoning.
 
According to the EPA, close to 150 children who may have been exposed to lead from the facility were tested. The results indicated that 20% had lead in their blood above levels considered a problem among health professionals.
 
“While the EPA agreement was a step forward in preventing lead exposure in children from Puerto Rico, countless homes across the islands that were built up until the late 1970s still contain lead hazards due to the presence of lead-based paints,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “As these paints degrade or are disturbed they release dusts contaminated with lead which are then an inhalation and ingestion risk.  This is especially true for children due to their hand-to-mouth activities and time spent on the floor where dust will settle.  In some older homes, drinking water is another potential exposure source as lead was sometimes used in the past in household plumbing materials or in water service lines.  Lead may also be present in contaminated soils outside of the home. The only way to prevent lead poisoning is to prevent exposure.” 
 
Exposure to lead sometimes occurs with no obvious symptoms, so it frequently goes unrecognized.  The Oregon Health Authority provides the following list of possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children.  They include:

  • Tiredness or loss of energy
  • Hyperactivity
  • Irritability or crankiness
  • Reduced attention span
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Constipation
  • Aches or pains in stomach


 
In Puerto Rico, if a property was built before 1978 there are regulations that require that if it is going to be demolished or renovated it needs to be inspected for the presence of lead. The building science professionals at Zimmetry offer comprehensive lead testing and consulting services to identify potential hazards associated with exposure to this toxic heavy metal. They also recently sponsored an online video about possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Hu1NEWaOISo
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their lead, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, occupational and compliance consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 


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 Lead Poisoning
 Lead Testing
 Puerto Rico
 Air Testing
 EHS


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