CLEVELAND, Ohio — “They say, but your kids look fine, and I say, well of course we do, but that's not what it affects…it doesn't affect what you look like," said Kareemah Lumpkin, of Cleveland.

• The CDC says lead exposure can have a wide range of effects on a child’s development and behavior
• Local organizations are doing their part to educate the community on lead safety
• The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition held a monthlong series of community classes focused on prevention, policy, and resources 

But lead poisoning can affect almost every part of the human body, and Kareemah Lumpkin didn’t realize her sons were showing symptoms until someone else pointed them out. 

My “Help Me Grow” advocate just randomly asked me a question. She said, I see something in your children and I think you should get them lead tested,” Lumpkin said. 

According to the CDC, exposure to lead can have a wide range of effects on a child's development and behavior.

Children with greater lead levels may have problems with learning, reading, and delayed growth.

At high levels, lead can cause permanent brain damage and even death.

Six years after finding out her sons had lead poisoning stemming from the home they lived in, Lumpkin is advocating more lead poisoning acknowledgment and she’s educating herself and others every chance she gets.  

“I learned how damaging it can be mentally and emotionally to a child. I learned a lot of patience through the situation, because I have to understand that something is happening to them.” Lumpkin says.

Lumpkin shared her story most recently at a resource fair hosted by Environmental Health Watch and led by residents on the Cleveland Citizens Action Team on Lead & Healthy Housing.

“Get educated, and find out that we're actually here. There are sources here to help them make their homes lead-safe,” said Tracie Washington, of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition. 

Tracie Washington is a member of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition action team.

The team just completed a monthlong series of community classes focused on lead poisoning prevention, lead policy, and resources to help families and the community thrive.  

She and Sheila Calloway say properly caring for your home is most important. 

“Window seals are clean, you take off your shoes at the door, you vacuum, you know, just basic things that we may not do on a regular basis,” Calloway said. 

But they also say some people feel like there’s no way around being exposed to lead when the home itself is a risk.

“Some people live in a home because that's the only place that they can afford, and you have some low-income landlords that want to provide safe housing, but they don't have the means to do that.” Washington said.

They host resource fairs like this one, to connect people with organizations and Cleveland officials who can help make their homes lead-safe.

“We share the information, how to get the money, where it’s coming from. Then we walk you through it…we don’t just leave you there, we’re hoping to help the neighborhoods, so that's what we're here for as the action team members,” said Calloway.