The Community Foundation is leading a coalition of foundations, government, associations, concerned citizens and faith-based organizations to help end lead poisoning in children in Western New York.

Homes built before 1978 contain lead paint and when children breathe or ingest lead dust they can become poisoned and get very sick.

Thousands of children in Erie County have already fallen victim to lead poisoning and Western New York is a hotbed of lead paint hazards: one-third of all lead poisoning cases reported in 2006 in New York State outside of New York City were from six zip codes in Buffalo: 14207, 14208, 14211, 14212, 14213 and 14215--making our region one of the most dangerous for young children.

While lead is potentially harmful to individuals at any age, it is especially dangerous to children under the age of six. Lead poisoning causes permanent neurological damage including loss of I.Q., developmental delays, learning disabilities, memory loss, hearing loss, attention deficits, hyperactivity and behavioral disorders. In extreme cases lead exposure can result in organ failure and death.

The initiative launched in May 2009 and will use a combination of grassroots outreach, paid advertising and earned media to boost awareness among those in our region who are most likely to be affected. The work is partially funded by a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information, visit the initiative’s web site at www.WipeOutLead.com.