The Ad Club of Cincinnati and the Better Housing League have teamed up to raise awareness about lead poisoning with a multimedia ad campaign to be launched in July.

        The campaign will include TV, print, newspaper and outdoor advertising designed to spread the word about the dangers of lead poisoning to unaware parents, whose children are most susceptible to the disease.

        The theme: “Learn about lead before it's too late.”

        “Whole generations of parents know little or nothing about lead,” said Maureen Godshall, president of the Ad Club. “They need to know because our children are our future.”

        Lead poisoning in children can cause permanent behavioral and physical problems, and more than 600 Tristate children are affected each year, said Dot Christenson, executive director of the Better Housing League.

        Ms. Christenson said dust from crumbling lead paint on old houses and buildings has crippled the development of thousands of children. And, she said, lead poisoning is one of the root causes of many problems in inner-city neighborhoods, where buildings and houses with peeling lead paint abound.

        The local rate of elevated blood lead levels in children under 6 is three times higher than the national average, Ms. Christenson said, and many more cases go unreported because many parents simply don't know that lead is still a threat.

        Painting homes with lead paint was outlawed in 1978, but lead paint wearing off older houses continues to be a menace.

Police inquiry scorches Roach
Video showed officer lied
Chief supported Roach early
Different statements key in investigation
Evendale leaders shrug at report
Racial, police, legal issues converge as anniversary nears
Streicher's statement
Timeline of Roach-Thomas case
Graham refuses to halt mission
Hispanic tastes feed businesses
Anti-boycotters meet, brainstorm
Anti-lead paint campaign readied
Cranley chooses UC legal faculty
High-school critics assess diverse musicals
Hike/bike trail raises concerns
Kids' weight, heart risk tied
Lodging tax debate starts anew
Negotiators hope to reach agreement today
Tristate A.M. Report
Two shot dead, one stabbed
BRONSON: Roach report
HOWARD: Some Good News
SAMPLES: Not-so-big news
SMITH AMOS: Praying for change
Attorney accused of sexual assault
Forum tackles Liberty growth
Hospital president criticizes leaders
Principal, board mum on departure
Run benefits ill Oxford girl
Puck kills fan during NHL game
Defendants in pilot's killing face separate trials
Kenton County schools seek workers at job fair
Kentucky fears more flooding
Priest cases upset faithful
Tax reform goal of baby steps