City on a mission to minimise lead expos

City on a mission to minimise lead exposure

27 February 2017

Scores of foundation phase learners and teachers at three Johannesburg primary schools were warned about the dangers of lead during an extensive awareness campaign last week.

Lead is a chemical substance added to paint to speed up the drying process and increase durability. It is one of the main health and environmental hazards associated with paint.

It is dangerous especially to children because it tastes sweet, tempting them to put lead chips and toys with lead dust in their mouths. It can cause nervous system damage, stunted growth, kidney damage and delayed development.

The interactive, fun and educational presentations were made by officials of the City of Johannesburg’s Environmental Health Department officials to Grade R learners at Bree Primary School in Mayfair West, Mossie Primary School in Forest Hill and Hesperus Primary School in Randburg.

The presentations centred on lead exposure and how best to reduce it.

The department’s Lesego Lala said the importance of educating children about the dangers of lead was paramount as they were particularly vulnerable to its toxic effects.

“As residents of a busy metropolis, the potential for exposure to lead is great as concentrations are present in the air around us due to petrol fumes, in paint and paint products, in dust and soil resulting from mining and other activities, on some toys, in batteries and in construction materials,” said Lala.

Lala also appealed to adults to reduce the potential exposure to lead by keeping areas clean at all times, using damp cloths and mops to remove dust from floors and surfaces and, most importantly, reading the labels before buying materials, toys and paint.

Tshikalange Ndivhuwo, a Grade R teacher at Mossie Primary School, said the awareness campaign provided a valuable learning opportunity for her learners. “I’m positive that the information the children will walk away with today will empower them,” she said.

To reduce lead exposure, the department has encouraged the children to:

Wash their hands with soap before eating after playing in dusty areas and before sleeping;
Keep their fingernails short and clean;
Eat healthy, balanced diets and not to skip meals;
Eat calcium-rich products such as yoghurt, milk and cheese;
Eat iron-rich products such as eggs, lean red meat, chicken, liver, fish and beans;
Not to chew their nails or suck their fingers;
Not to eat non-food objects such as sticks, stones and toys;
Not to burn painted wood as it may contain lead;
Not to play with old batteries; and
Not to play with construction materials.

Wash their hands with soap before eating after playing in dusty areas and before sleeping;

Keep their fingernails short and clean;

Eat healthy, balanced diets and not to skip meals;

Eat calcium-rich products such as yoghurt, milk and cheese;

Eat iron-rich products such as eggs, lean red meat, chicken, liver, fish and beans;

Not to chew their nails or suck their fingers;

Not to eat non-food objects such as sticks, stones and toys;

Not to burn painted wood as it may contain lead;

Not to play with old batteries; and