1978.

The first year a Garfield comic was published,

The year Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Accords,

And the year the United States decided to ban lead paint.

40 years later, we know that a ban is not enough to keep communities safe. Each year, around 7,000 children in Pennsylvania suffer from lead exposure.

“Shortly after his second birthday, our son tested positive for lead poisoning.”
Once they learned the cause of some of the uncommon behavioral attitudes in their child, Dr. Karalyn Mcgrorty-Derstine’s had their entire house tested. The family found traces of lead in a small hole in their basement wall.

“We could have covered the spot with a $50 can of paint.” said Karalyn. “The cruel irony of lead; such a hazardous substance tastes sweet like cotton candy, and attracts little kids to continue to consume it.”

Dr. Karalyn was one of several speakers at a press event promoting S.B. 514—which requires children to be tested for lead exposure at age 2 (with a parental opt out option).

“These toxic effects of lead include permanent, permanent cognitive and behavioral deficits,” said Dr. Christopher Russo, director of pediatrics with Wellspan Health.

Pennsylvania’s Health Department says only 18% of children get tested for lead exposure right now. And while lead paint was banned in 1978, the Lead-Free Promise Project says 70% of PA housing stock was built before then.

“Unless older homes in rural, suburban, and urban areas have been effectively re-mediated,” said Bruce Clash, Co-Chair of Public Engagement for the Lead-Free Promise Project, “Paint chips and dust may be lurking in homes and other areas where children live and play.”

The project notes increased early testing gives families more chances to remove lead before serious exposure.

Rep. Donna Bullock (D-195), who chairs the Children & Youth Committee in the House, shared how her own son was exposed to lead when he visited his grandmothers house.

“It was through the early detection and early testing that we were able to take the steps to make grandma’s house safer for him, and for others, and for grandma.”

Other legislative work geared towards preventing lead exposure is increasing public awareness campaigns, asking counties to require new home owners or renters to be informed of any lead in the space, and then providing better early intervention care for children who do end up exposed.