Protecting Children, Families, and Workers from Lead Hazards in Puerto Rico

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 55% of housing units in Puerto Rico were built before the 1978 ban on lead paint in residential housing. The agency also warns that Puerto Rico faces extreme climate events, such as hurricanes and seasonal floods, and these result in housing infrastructure deterioration that can increase the risk of lead exposure.

Young children are especially at risk of lead poisoning as they are growing rapidly and because of their tendency to put things in their mouths. It is important to note that there is no safe blood level in children, according to the CDC. Even low levels have been shown to affect a child’s learning capacity, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.

“Lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children in this country,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “While lead-based paints continue to be the most common source of exposure for most children, exposure hazards can also come from contaminated drinking water, foods, soil, and other sources.”

In Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, the environmental, industrial hygiene, and building science professionals at Zimmetry offer comprehensive testing, consulting, and training services to identify and mitigate potential exposure risks to lead and other substances, such as asbestos, mold, PCBs, radon, and other hazards. These services conform to all of Puerto Rico’s existing regulations and can safeguard children, families, and workers, while also helping to keep companies and institutions in regulatory compliance.

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their environmental, industrial hygiene, and compliance testing and consulting resources, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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