On Wednesday, December 8, the 1999 Harvard Award for Excellence in Children's Health was presented to the Bowdoin Street Health Center for for its work to prevent lead poisoning in Dorchester's children. The Bowdoin Street health center identifies children with high levels of lead in their blood by testing at their regular check-ups. Children become lead poisoned by lead dust and paint from older homes. Lead paint has been banned in the US since 1978.
Children ingest lead through a number of natural childhood behaviors.
Lead distributes itself though the home environment as dust sloughs off painted surfaces. Lead is ingested when children put soiled hands or toys in their mouths during normal play. The center makes tainted soil in yeards less accessible by covering it with rocks, grass, or wooden decks.