Authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings on the current incidence of lead poisoning among Philadelphia children, the preventative measures in effect for eliminating household hazards and the new research now emphasizing more permanent and severe mental damage as a result of lead poisoning.

WHEREAS, Lead poisoning is a common environmental health problem among Philadelphia children from every social and economic levels as a result of the old housing stock in the city; and

WHEREAS, Childhood lead poisoning at relatively low levels can produce permanent learning disabilities and dysfunctional behavior while, at higher levels, seizures and death can result; and

WHEREAS, Recent research conducted by the Academy of Pediatrics of youngsters convicted of delinquency have revealed higher bone-lead levels than those of a controlled group; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Health test children and prescribes medication to lower blood lead levels, inspects homes and other properties for indicia of lead hazards, and issues orders for lead abatement to property owners; and

WHEREAS, The Childhood Lead Poisoning Task Force initiated low interest loans to assist landlords the abatement of household lead, proposed the establishment of "safe houses," hazard reduction funding for low-income families and insurance products that would protect both tenants and landlords; and

WHEREAS, Greater recognition of the impact of lead poisoning, the importance of lead disclosure and the need for prevention and education has raised the consciousness of all facets of the community to the critical importance of eliminating this silent epidemic; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Authorize the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings on the current incidence of lead poisoning among Philadelphia children, the preventative measures in effect for eliminating household hazards, and the new research emphasizing more permanent and severe mental damage as a result of lead poisoning.

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