By Dan Thesman on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA COUNTY โ Walla Walla County Department of Community Health Environmental Health Division Manager Rick Dawson is concerned about lead and its harmful effects on health. Lead is often a concern for children since it can seriously impact their developing brains if present in high levels in the blood. He adds that lead exposure can create lasting deficits that are hard to recover from, so protecting children from lead is crucial.
Lead is a mineral used in many products, particularly in paint, which was common until it was banned in the U. S. in 1978. According to Dawson, over half of the homes in Walla Walla County were built before that year, so many still contain lead-based paint. Although covered with newer paint, remodeling can expose this lead, creating dust that can be inhaled or ingested, particularly by children who often put their hands in their mouths after crawling on contaminated surfaces.
Dawson recommends families in older homes should test their children for lead levels, and the health department can help if levels are high.
โWe will do some assessment work to try and figure out what the source of lead is and see if we can figure out a way to help you get it removed,โ Dawson said.
To learn more about lead poisoning risks, contact Walla Walla County Department of Health or visit their website at https://dch.co.walla-walla.wa.us/
Editorโs note: Rick Dawson was a guest on the Jan. 22 KUMA Coffee Hour. The podcast can be accessed at https://omny.fm/shows/coffee-hour-podcast