Document KG01N6oNOXKyRJLymVX6zM2gX

Baltimore City Health Department WEEKLY LETTER TO THE MAYOR WKo 23 In his WEEKLY LETTER TO THE MAYOR dated June 10t 1966, the Commissioner of Health -wrote i Dear Mayors There is transmitted to you herewith the Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Statistical Report of Baltimore for the week ending June 9, 19660 Four children in Baltimore, City, ages 18 months to 2 years, have been poisoned by eating lead paint so far in 1966, according to a report of the Bureau of Industrial Hygiene in the City Health Department ,, A fifth potential case, reported on June 1, is still under investigation by Mr*?, Mary Lanahan,; the public health nurse assigned to the bureaus The report also shows that 19 additional children, who were investigated as lead poisoning suspects!, had potentially dangerous amounts of lead in their blood and are either uinder treatment or having follow-up tests at hospital clinics The cases hake occurred in different sections of the city and indicate that the lead paijnt danger is no longer localized to the- inner city Since most cases of lead paint poisoning occur during hot weather, it is imp*ortant that all parents of children under five years old be warned of this danger In the months ahead Preschool children, particularly those of teeth ing age, should he closely supervised to prevent their nibbling at peeling paint either inside or outside the homes Any child seen nibbling paint sh<ould be taken to a physician or clinic and checked for lead paint poison!hgo The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the less damage will be cause d to tke child's brain and nervous system by lead poisonings As a prevent! ve measure, the City Health Department further recommends that parents examine their homes for peeling paint and remove this hazard by scraping, sanding and repainting with lead free paint so the child is unable to pick at the : urfaee. | City Health Department records show that 1,068 children have been made il^ and 13^ children have died from eating paint since the hazard was first recognized in 1931s Last year was the first year since records have been ke^t that no child died of lead paint poisoning in Baltimore City. The 32 case^ reported in 1965 was the lowest in 12 years s Lead paint poisoning is still a serious health hazard in Baltimore and parents should be alert to its dangers9 If preventive measures are taken, jio Baltimore child should die ;'or get sick from lead paint poisonings ' Very truly yours, f. 'v.. .. :1 J' ' (Signed) Robert E Farber, MD ........- ' Commissioner of Health S N39088