Following analyzes revealing the presence of lead in the paints of the Edelweiss crèche in Montpellier, the Municipality closed the establishment urgently this Tuesday, December 17, in the evening.
Montpellier Town Hall has closed urgently, this Tuesday, December 17 at 5 p.m., the Edelweiss nursery located in the city center, rue du Général Riu. Built in the 19th centurye century, it was the subject of a control to assess the possible presence of lead. This Monday, December 16, the analysis results revealed that the paints on certain woodwork and moldings contained well this metal which can be toxic when ingested or inhaled. The main risks being digestive, cognitive disorders or lead poisoning. However, the Municipality wants to be reassuring: “ The risk for children attending the crèche is limited, as it is a municipal crèche where children are under the constant supervision of adults (direct ingestion of paint flakes being the main cause of poisoning in children) and very strict cleaning and ventilation protocols. »
Monitoring the health situation
The health and municipal authorities met the parents of the children hosted at the Edelweiss crèche to inform them of the situation and the closure of the establishment, at least until the beginning of January. Until then, work will take place in the premises in order to cover with placo and a glued covering, the surfaces on which the presence of lead is proven. New checks will take place and the nursery will be able to open its doors again when all doubts have been resolved. At the same time, solutions offered to parents “faced with complex custody issues” and a screening of children regularly attending the crèche will be organized.
If lead poisoning in certain children is established, “investigations will be launched on children who have previously attended the crèche”, affirms the Montpellier Town Hall, which specifies that the risks for the latter are even more limited. However, if some parents wish to be reassured, it is possible to carry out a blood lead measurement with a simple doctor’s prescription and a blood test. As for the nursery staff, “ the risks are almost non-existent and systematic screening is not necessary », Explains the community.
Related News :