Are Parisian darlings exposed to lead when they’re at school? This is the fear of the city of Paris, which, after the first results of a study launched in September 2021, begins to identify children who could be dangerously exposed to lead in kindergartens or schools.
So far, about 60 establishments have already been checked. In this panel, students from two elementary schools and four kindergartens had to have blood lead levels (a special blood test to detect lead) taken as a precaution. General”673 children were screened, none of the analyzes showed concern“, – declares Figaro Anne Suiris, Paris Mayor’s EELV Deputy for Health. The series of tests covers all districts of the city of Paris, the first in the history of the capital. The long-term goal is to test lead levels in 80 facilities, and the results of the study will be published on the ARS website.
The page of Notre Dame de Paris is not completely closed yet. A fire in the temple put the lead back on the front of the stage. An invisible threat that is one of the main causes of lead poisoning in children under the age of seven. In 2015, the Paris Health Plan identified lead as one of the eight exposure factors responsible for the main environmental health pathologies in the capital. “The legislation is not up-to-date at all. We realized how inadequate it was when the Notre Dame fire happened“, says Anne Souris.
In France, the law sets an average maximum indoor lead level of 70 micrograms/square meter, 1000 if there is work. There are no rules outside, only the ARS recommendation, which suggests 5,000 micrograms per square meter specifically for Paris. “That doesn’t mean it’s viable, you have to go much lower, a recommendation contested in particular by the High Council of Public Health;adds Anne Souris.
“It’s a precautionary approach to avoid panic.”
The method used for this research is experimental. First, it takes into account the construction dates of the buildings. A school or daycare built in 1950 is much more likely to have high levels of lead in the paint or dust. “Paris was built before 1950 with imported soil that was already contaminated with lead, which is why we also study the exterior.adds Anne Souris. In addition, lead particles have the ability to dissolve in water and then wash out with it. Haussmann buildings, with part of the roof and gutters made of lead, are the main drawback of its leakage.
According to the first results of the research, out of the 61 investigated institutions, there were 36 reports related to paints, of which 23 were corrective works (stripping, covering, replacement of radiators). 21 reports related to dust, of which 18 resulted in cleaning and replacement of carpets. In terms of appearance, experts identified 23 sites affected by contaminated soil. In 8 of them, land changes or plantation removal works have already been done.
The study also deviates from the legislation by basing its checks on piece-by-piece sampling rather than the average. Specifically, if lead levels exceed 70 micrograms in just one classroom in a school, the City of Paris will only require blood samples from children who regularly use the room. If the excess lead area is not easily accessible, such as a windowsill, the school only needs to do some work. “This is a precautionary approach to avoid panicsays Anne Souris.
As for the exterior, inspection is required if the surface exceeds 1,000 milligrams per square meter. “We want it to paint enough of a picture to push the state to implement much safer health regulations.says Anne Souris.
Source: Le Figaro
