Since 1992, the City of East Providence Lead Safe Program has campaigned to heighten the awareness of City residents about childhood lead poisoning. East Providence was the first municipality in the state of Rhode Island to administer a lead poisoning prevention program. Projects have been coordinated with children and parents involved in many local agencies and organizations such as the East Providence School Department, East Providence Boys and Girls Club, Newman YMCA, East Bay Head Start and the East Providence Community Center. The Lead Safe Program provides workshops, printed information, referrals and financial assistance to East Providence residents as a means to prevent lead poisoning in our City. 1 in 5 Rhode Island children under the age of 6 has too much lead in their body.
Lead poisoning causes problems with the health and development of infants and young children.
Exposure to lead can result in learning disabilities, hearing problems and kidney damage. Children are primarily exposed to lead in paint, dust and soil of older homes. A LEAD SAFE home will have all hazards where children can be in contact with lead under control. Staff of the Lead Safe Program will provide a free Comprehensive Lead Inspection to locate lead hazards and assist in preparing bid proposals, selecting a contractor, finding temporary housing while lead work is being done on your property and managing the contractor. For more information about lead and lead poisoning, here are some useful web sites for parents.