Puerto Ricans Turn to Zimmetry to Protect their Children from Lead

There are at least 4 million households in the United States that have children living in them that are being exposed to high levels of lead according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency goes on to report that there are approximately half a million U.S. children ages 1-5 with blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), the reference level at which the agency recommends public health actions be initiated.
 
One of the primary ways children are exposed to lead is through lead-based paints (LBP).  Lead hazards associated with lead-based paints are not confined to just to the mainland.  In Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, there are many residential, institutional and commercial properties that have lead-based paints.  In fact, if a property was built before 1978, there is a good chance it has LBP.
 
Children under the age of 6 years old are at high risk of lead poisoning because they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths.  The good news is that lead poisoning is entirely preventable.   
 
“The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they are harmed,” reports Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “It is the deterioration of lead-based paint that typically causes the biggest exposure issues.  At Zimmetry, we have lead experts who provide testing and consulting services to ensure people, and especially children, are not being exposed to this hazard.”
 
Zimmetry recently sponsored an online video about ways children can be protected from lead poisoning.  It can be seen at: http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U
 
Regulations in Puerto Rico require that all buildings that are going to be demolished or renovated need to be inspected for LBP.  These regulations, enforced by the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, also demand that all materials with lead be managed as a special waste. 
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their lead, indoor air quality, environmental 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.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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