Presence of lead in nurseries in the center of Montpellier: one reopens, the other remains closed

Closed doors at the Children's House. ML – GR

Closed since December 17, the Edelweiss daycare reopens this Monday, January 6. But the Children's House, closed since December 30, will remain closed for at least one more week.

The presence of lead in the peeling paint of old buildings is a headache for municipalities.

On Monday, December 16, the City of Montpellier had confirmed the presence of lead in the paint of certain woodwork and moldings of the Edelweiss nursery. The nursery is located at 21 rue du Général Riu, next to the boulevard de Strasbourg, in a building dating from the 19th century.

The City stressed that “the risk for children attending the nursery is limited, as it is a municipal nursery where children are under constant adult supervision (direct ingestion of paint flakes being the main cause of poisoning in children) and the cleaning and ventilation protocols are very strict”.

As a precaution, the structure was closed on December 17 to hold a meeting with staff. Protective work was carried out a few days later by specialist companies. Final work, such as stripping, will be planned for next summer.

As early as December 18, families were informed of the work undertaken in the establishment and the implementation of screening for children in the nursery.

“The work prescribed in this type of situation (encapsulation by compressed wood fiber panel formwork, new paint and installation of shock-resistant wall covering on the lower parts) is now complete”, announced the City this Friday, January 3.

“A post-work diagnosis carried out by the City's Real Estate Department confirms the total absence of exposure to lead. With all reservations lifted, the reception of children at the Edelweiss crèche is therefore planned from Monday, January 6.”

 

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

500 new cases per year in France

Until 1949, lead was used in the composition of certain paints (white lead). These coatings, often covered by others since, can deteriorate over time, with humidity or during work (sanding for example): the scales and dust thus released are then sources of poisoning.

Ingestion or inhalation of lead can have various toxic effects (anaemia, digestive disorders) and chronic effects (damage to the nervous system). Children, particularly those under 6 years old, as well as pregnant women, are the population most exposed to the risk of lead poisoning.

Each year, 500 new cases of childhood lead poisoning are reported in France. Paints containing lead are the main cause of the cases listed.

Work this week at the Maison des enfants

During the school holidays, another building in the city centre housing a daycare centre was also closed due to the presence of lead in the paints.

This is the Maison des Enfants, a daycare centre that can accommodate 45 children aged 3 months to 6 years, located at 1 rue Embouque d’Or, near Place Pétrarque, in Écusson.

These premises are also used by the association Le Relais, Maison des Enfants dans la Ville, which welcomes children and teenagers (6-18 years old) on Wednesdays, during school holidays and in the evenings after school.

“The premises have been closed since last Monday and parents have been informed, the City explains. Work will take place this week, which is why the building will remain closed until Monday, January 13.”

As happened for the Edelweiss crèche, the City will hold an information meeting on Monday, January 6, at 6 p.m., in the Pétrarque room, to inform families of the source of the presence of lead, the risks incurred, the work carried out and the monitoring of the children's situation.

“The Regional Health Agency and the Maternal and Child Protection are mobilized alongside us”, informs the City. Which specifies that “reception solutions have been found for all the children this week”.

I subscribe to read the rest