Getting the Lead out
Fifteen years after lead toxins were found in the children's playground soil at Keene State College, 20 percent of that same ground still tests over state and federal safety limits, according to an Equinox investigation. On Sept. 25, 2007, The Equinox collected 10 soil samples from the Child Development Center playground at KSC.
Getting the Lead out
The amount of lead in childrens' blood required to prompt a health inspection was reduced by half with new state legislation, effective Jan. 1, 2008. New Hampshire Senate Bill 176 amends the Lead Paint Prevention and Control law, by creating tougher state oversight and protection of children New Hampshire Governor John Lynch (D) signed Senate Bill 176 on July 12, 2007.
170 diagnosed statewide in 2007
In the summer of 2007, Keene State College released information of elevated lead levels in outdoor paint in and around the Elliot Hall's Child Development Center (CDC). Less than two months later, a Harvard Medical School official spoke at KSC's 2007 Sidore Lecture on childhood lead poisoning.
Editorial
On July 13, 2007, Keene State College commissioned a professional industrial hygiene service, Covino Environmental Associates Inc., to analyze soil samples taken from around the Elliot Center for lead content. The study revealed that in and around the area used by the Child Development Center for their playground registered between 124.
Another fence was added to the Child Development Center's playground this summer, as a temporary solution to keep children away from lead-based paint chips discovered falling from Elliot Hall last spring. "There was a time crunch because the children were coming back," said CDC director Ellen Edge.
Getting the Lead out
When 17 Keene State College students signed up to take "Investigating Environmental Problems" last fall, they weren't expecting to be digging in dirt or scraping paint chips from railings, windows or buildings. Yet those efforts resulted in providing data on the health of many campus buildings and facilities when it comes to lead paint, a known environmental and public health hazard.
Abatement more complete but costly solution
Encapsulation of lead-based paint is a cost-effective short-term solution, but over time can end up costing more than the abatement of lead paint. According to Frank Ronan, business manager of EnviroVantage, an environmental clean-up company, encapsulation only involves covering up lead paint, not removing it fully.
Getting the Lead out
Elliot Hall has always had a special history with children. For over 70 years the building, known as Elliot City Hospital and then Elliot Community Hospital, welcomed babies into the world. In 1973 Keene State College acquired the building, naming it Elliot Hall.
Getting the Lead out
While lead-based paint chips are one way for children to get lead poisoning, another way is by lead contaminated soil in areas such as playgrounds. "Soil is a huge issue," said Katie Lajoie, a New Hampshire public health nurse, at a Keene State College lecture focusing on lead poisoning in children in October 2007.
