Edelweiss nursery closed urgently for potential lead alert

See my news
Follow Metropolitan

/ METROPOLITAN NEWS /

A environmental alert potential exposure to lead leads to the emergency closure, this Tuesday, December 17, 2024 on the evening of the crèche Edelweissrue du Général Rieu, in the area of ​​the Saint-Roch SNCF station, Montpellier. Requested by Metropolitanthe City of Montpellier confirms this information.

It was decided in consultation with the Children’s Department and the Regional Health Agency -ARS- Occitanie meeting in a crisis unit to close the crèche, after the results of samples and analyzes carried out on Friday December 13 by the town hall. , demonstrating a risk of lead poisoning from paint, diagnosis received this Monday, December 16 and giving rise to an emergency meeting with the city services, the ARS and the PMI (Early Childhood), in order to determine the measures to be taken.

According to this report, it appears that lead is present in certain woodwork and moldings of this establishment. There is no significant deterioration but this situation creates a risk of exposure to lead for the children in the nursery, a risk mainly linked to the possibility of ingestion of degraded paint chips. This risk is theoretical and limited, given that it is a municipal nursery where children are under constant supervision by adults and very strict cleaning and ventilation protocols. However, the absorption of lead can, over time and at beyond a certain concentration in the blood, cause serious illnesses for children (lead poisoning) |

Given this risk, the City of Montpellier has decided to immediately take the following measures: welcoming parents to the Edelweiss crèche to explain the situation, as well as the recommended screening and precautionary measures. The explanations are provided by health professionals from the Early Childhood Center supported by the Municipal Health and Safety Service. The nursery is closed this December 17 from 5 p.m. No panic: there is no immediate risk for children or professionals and it is important to explain the situation clearly and transparently. Furthermore, welcoming children will allow parents to start getting organized.

Reopening on January 6?

Normally the nursery was to be closed from the evening of December 20 to January 1, 2025; it will therefore be closed until the evening of January 3, with a planned reopening on Monday January 6. A start of in-depth diagnostics from this evening of December 17, then a launch of protection work (covering with placo, glued covering, etc.) by specialized companies are planned. Final work (stripping) will be planned this summer.

A public meeting with families is scheduled for this Wednesday, December 18 at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the presence of the early childhood assistant to discuss the implementation of screening of children in the crèche (prescriptions, sampling laboratories , PMI support and other blood lead measurement devices envisaged, etc.) and the work.

Transparency

The greatest transparency will be made regarding the blood lead measurements carried out in the active line of the crèche. If the thresholds are abnormal, the ARS will communicate the results and investigations may be launched on children who previously attended the nursery. Beyond these preventive and curative measures, the situation of children currently attending the crèche will be closely monitored. If the thresholds are abnormal, the ARS will communicate the results and investigations will be launched on children who previously attended the nursery. For children who attended nursery during previous periods, the risk is in fact even more limited since they are no longer exposed.

However, parents can, if they wish, carry out a blood lead measurement, with a prescription from the general practitioner. Concerning daycare professionals, the risks are almost non-existent and systematic screening is not necessary. However, young women and pregnant women will be invited to take a blood lead measurement, in conjunction with preventive medicine. The F3SCT (specialized training in health, safety and working conditions) will be informed of these medical procedures.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.