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Dr. Finkel- stein Lead Poison Control BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1987 The monthly meeting of the Board of Health was held on Tuesday, October 13, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. in Room G-1 of the Town Office Building. Members present were Dr. Linda Roemer, Chairperson; Dr. Donald Goldmann, Dr. Stan Finkelstein, Barbara O'Donnell, Sanitarian and Mr. George Smith, Jr., Director of Public Health. The minutes of September 8, 1987 were accepted with amendments made per request of Dr. Finkelstein on the last portion of the Human Service issues. Dr. Roemer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and there was a brief discussion on the Human Service Funding Program. Dr. Roemer stated the Human Services were not issuing an "RFP" until January. A decision was made that Mr. Smith and Dr. Finkelstein would set up a meeting to talk to Susan Alder, Acting Town Manager, on the Human Service issue. The meeting was then passed over to Dr. Finkelstein to discuss his health function topics, the first being Lead Poison Control. The Board of Health is responsible for ensuring that all children ages one to six are tested periodically for lead poisoning and that all dwellings in which a child under six resides or will reside should be inspected. If an inspection is requested by tenant or owner of a premise where a child under six lives this inspection should be carried out within five days of the request. Dwellings about to be rented or sold to a family with a child under six shall be inspected before the final sale or lease. Boards of Health shall inspect all premises which are to be used as child care facilities for dangerous levels of lead on the premise. These facili- ties shall be inspected within 10 days of receipt of request. Lead poisoning is a serious problem in the U.S. among children ages one to six. It can permanently effect their physical and mental development. Some children have a tendency to eat non-food items such as flaking paint. Children often chew on windowsills, doors, porch railing and other surfaces. A one square centimeter chip of paint, one layer thick with 10 percent of lead will contain five to 10 times the maximum daily safe intake for a child. Lead poisoning may result in death but more often results in mental retarda- tion and learning disability. A child found to have an elevated blood -level should be tested at once by a physician. Inspectors have special procedures to follow when testing a dwelling for lead paint and these procedures must be followed according to instructions. A re -inspection must be done with forms filled out and copies sent to each party envolved. If a dangerous level of lead is not corrected within seven days after re -inspection the Board of Health shall initiate judicial proceedings. 1 1