AC Alrey, Healthy Home Program Manager, and John Dabney Jr. Healthy Home Outreach Coordinator, spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Cambridge about their work with the City of Cambridge’s lead awareness program. Both gentlemen talked about the concerns regarding Lead paint/dust poisoning in the City. With an aging community, they said many houses still have lead paint which was found in paint prior to the mid 1970s.
During his talk, John shared a power point showing many of the physical issues and health concerns found as a result of the lead paint. He said, between the lead dust and paint chips the particles are inhaled and digested especially by children in the household. The results are a variety of health problems.
The ultimate result, after much research, came in 1978 when the Federal Government created a nationwide ban on lead in paint. Since then, a number rules and regulations have been enacted to deal with lead when it is found. This includes, in many cases, removal by licensed, trained lead removal specialists.
Rotarian AC Alrey’s program falls under the Housing Division of the city of Cambridge Economic Development. A native of Michigan, he graduated from Michigan State University going on to the University of Oklahoma for more specialize economic development training. He currently serves on the State of Maryland and local government entity boards focusing on agriculture, economic development, climate and environment.
John Dabney is originally from Boston, Ma., moving to Cambridge in 2009. While in Cambridge, he worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Dorchester County Public Library. His job with the City of Cambridge Housing Department takes him around the community talking to individuals and groups about the lead concerns.
For more information about the lead program visit the website: www.choosecambridge.com
To learn about Rotary visit Cambridgemdrotary.org
