INQUIRY EUROPE 1
The investigation of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) following the fire of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is categorical: of six children whose blood tests exceed the threshold of lead poisoning (lead contamination), three have been contaminated at home. Nothing to do with the fire of Notre-Dame so. And if the problem of lead in Paris far exceeded the perimeter of the Notre-Dame fire?
The subject is taken seriously enough so that in the wake of the results of analyzes, the National Agency for Food Safety, Environment and Labor (ANSES) is commissioned for new measures in the streets and other squares of the capital. New samples will also be taken in schools and crèches.
100,000 homes concerned in Paris
The director general of the ARS of Île-de-France, Aurélien Rousseau, confirms: "the lead is an invisible evil.The State will take its share in the public buildings, but it is necessary that the owners of housing make the point home too. " Of the 127,000 buildings in the capital, 100,000 are affected by insalubrity.
All are affected, including the opulent buildings in the beautiful districts of Paris. This figure of 100,000 corresponds to dwellings built before 1949. At that date, lead paint was banned for health reasons. Painting was forbidden but the existing paintings were not removed ... Mostly they were covered by newer layers of paint.
The problem is when these layers crumble and a child plays with it. At that moment, it can swallow and be contaminated. A pediatrician, who wishes to remain anonymous, saw a 14-month-old baby arrive a few days ago with abnormally high levels of lead in the blood: "oln talks about infant lead poisoning. have to start studies as for asbestos.We need to wake up, there is scandal if there is not an action in the days and months to come to correct this problem!
IQ drop, growth problems and kidney problems
A sanitary scandal is therefore brooding, according to this doctor. If the rate of the infant which it received was 65 micrograms per liter of blood, in a district chic, it is not rare that this same rate climbs up to 200 in certain zones as in Seine-Saint-Denis by example.
The numbers are not reassuring but there seems to be an awareness. Since the fire of Notre-Dame, many more parents are asking questions at their pediatrician or doctor. The headquarters of the Association of families victims of lead poisoning (AFVS) receives 2 to 3 times more calls in recent weeks.
As a reminder, lead in the walls of our homes can lead to a slight drop in IQ, growth problems or kidney problems. It is important to remember also that it is not enough to inhale the lead to be contaminated. It must be swallowed. Hence the vigilance to have with young children, who are very hands-on.