Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

  • Home
  • Get Involved
    • Events Calendar
    • CNA Meetings
    • Land Use & Transportation Committee (LUTC)
    • Media Team
    • Concordia News Submissions
    • Our Association
      • Bylaws
      • Directors & Staff
      • 2023 Budget
    • Donate
  • Current Topics
    • Concordia University sale and future use updates
    • Safe Rest Villages – Updates
  • Community Room
    • Community Partners Guidelines
    • Community Room Rental
    • Community Room Calendar
  • Concordia News
    • Advertise
    • Concordia News Issues
    • Write for Concordia News
    • CNews Updates
  • Resources
    • Services & Agencies
    • Schools
  • Contact

Water isn’t the only risk for lead poisoning

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Web Manager Posted in Concordia News

By Nancy Varekamp, CNews Editor

Residents of Concordia neighborhood are at larger risk of lead poisoning from paint than water, due to the age of the housing stock. Photo by Rob Rogers, Above Imaging
Residents of Concordia neighborhood are at larger risk of lead poisoning from paint than water, due to the age of the housing stock. Photo by Rob Rogers, Above Imaging

Last spring’s reports about lead in the water at local schools heightened awareness about lead poisoning risks.

But exposure from lead solder in home plumbing systems is more likely to appear in homes built after 1970. The threat in the older housing stock in Concordia – and an estimated 80 percent of Multnomah County – is from lead-based paint that wasn’t banned until 1978.

“Homes built before 1940 have a 90 percent chance of containing lead-based paint,” estimated Sherrie Pelsma, Community Energy Project (CEP) program director. The nonprofit organizations works to empower people to maintain healthier, more livable homes.

CEP offers workshops year round to help Portland-area residents understand the risks and reduce of lead exposure.

Children from the womb to age 6 are especially vulnerable because lead in the blood can affect brain development. Recent studies concluded lead-related cognitive decadence in children can lead to:

  • Brain and nerve damage
  • Learning disabilities
  • Behavior and/or attention deficit disorders
  • Organ, blood, muscle and/or bone damage
  • Hearing loss

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 535,000 of the country’s children ages 1-5 have lead poisoning. Blood tests are recommended for children ages 6 to 12 months and again at 24 months.

Lead settles anywhere
According to Pelsma, lead dust – from paint and even gasoline fumes prior to 1986 – can settle anywhere. From paint, that’s most likely below a roof’s drip line, and from gas fumes it’s in gardens near street curbs. In the soil, lead never breaks down.

Newer paint wears through at points of friction, like double-hung windows. Even mini blinds manufactured before 1997 contain lead and shed the dust as they deteriorate.

“Lead that is inhaled, is absorbed at 100 percent strength by children and adults,” Pelsma said. “If consumed – in foods or liquids – adults absorb 10 percent and children 50.
“The only way to be sure of recent lead exposure is to have your blood tested.”

Lead workshops abound
CEP delivers about 80 “Lead 101” workshops per year and 15 “Lead-Safe Home Projects” sessions for do-it-yourself remodelers. (Workshops open to the public can be found on the events calendar.)

They cover much more than lead poisoning risks. They feature detection, prevention, and basic lead-safe work practices. They also introduce the several organizations that partner to help residents and businesses mitigate hazards.

Check back with CNews next month for details on tips and services to help you curb lead in your home.

Here’s help for you and your home

Community Energy Project
503.284.6827

Multnomah County Health Department
503.988.4000

Oregon Health Authority
971-673-0440

Portland Water Bureau
503-823-1547

« Share the story of your life
Here’s the DIY process to battle demolition »

CNA Meetings

Click here to learn about upcoming CNA meetings and how to attend.

CNA Mission Statement

To connect Concordia residents and businesses – inform, educate and report on activities, issues and opportunities of the neighborhood.

Concordia Neighborhood Association will abstain from publishing anything that could be construed as libel.

CNA’s Facebook Group

Join us for neighborhood discussion, event updates, meeting minutes and more on our Facebook Group.

Categories

  • Archive
  • Arts & Culture
  • CNA
  • Concordia News
  • CU Sale
  • Events
  • Family
  • Gardening
  • Health and Wellness
  • History
  • Land Use & Transportation
  • Local Businesses
  • Opinion
  • Schools
  • Trees
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteer Opportunities
CyberChimps ©2023