The Community Foundation for
Greater Buffalo is targeting West Side neighborhoods in an effort to rid
Buffalo houses of lead.
The Wipe Out Lead campaign, in combination with a $3.4
million federal lead remediation grant, is using social media and text messages
to educate residents on the risks of lead poisoning.
“Texting is
a much easier medium to talk to people about lead awareness,” said Tracy
Preston, community foundation liaison to the Erie County Health Department.
The Grow
716 texting system provides lead-education information, including safe work
practices, lead poisoning discussion and home lead hazard protocols.
One-third
of all lead poisoning cases in New York State, outside of New York City, are
reported in nine of Buffalo’s zip code regions, including the three West Side zip
codes.
Asthma, one of the primary symptoms
of lead poisoning, is the leading cause of absenteeism of children in school.
By reaching
West Side residents, the foundation hopes to promote discussion on the health
hazards of lead and push concerns to the texting system.
The Wipe
Out Lead campaign will continue through the Thanksgiving holiday, and the
texting service will continue after the campaign ends.
Text ‘LEAD’
to 877-877 to access Grow 716. By Taylor Gesel and Nathaniel Smith
