8/6/01
News Brief
Following is a story lead and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address this topic. Feel free to contact the sources directly.
UNI Global Health Corps tackles lead poisoning
This summer, the NAACP announced its intention to bring suit against the paint industry, citing the various dangers posed by lead-based paint. Young children are especially susceptible, and can suffer brain damage from long-term exposure to the product.
The University of Northern Iowa's Global Health Corps is working to educate the public about these dangers, and is focusing heavily on individuals who live in homes built before 1978, when lead-based paint was most frequently used in houses. Students in the corps are going door-to-door in the Waterloo Church Row neighborhood, surrounding West Fourth Street, offering printed information. They also will make presentations at safety fairs, neighborhood meetings and community gatherings. "Statistics from the Black Hawk County Health Department show that the number of children who are poisoned by lead-based paint in this county is almost 5 percent higher than the average for the state, and almost 13 percent higher than the average for the country," explained Michele Yehieli, director of the corps.
Contact:
Michele Yehieli, director, UNI Global Health Corps, (319) 273-6411
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
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8/6/01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Stacey Christensen, manager, Community Outreach, (319) 273-2761
Gwenne Culpepper, UNI Office of University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
UNI goes to the fair
CEDAR FALLS -- The University of Northern Iowa’s popular interactive booth will be at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 9-19, in the Varied Industries Building, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The latest addition to the display is the university's timeline, developed in celebration of its 125th anniversary. Featured on the timeline are special events and milestones. There will be daily drawings for athletic event passes, tickets to performances at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC), UNI paraphernalia; and the opportunity to order UNI apparel online.
Special UNI events at the state fair:
•Michele Roth, UNI Department of Physics, will present "Electricity and Magnetism: Friendly Forces in Physics," Aug. 15, noon-12:30 p.m., Variety Theater in the Family Center.
•Sue Sommerfelt, Iowa Waste Reduction Center, will present an overview of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, Aug. 17, 11-11:30 a.m., Variety Theater in the Family Center.
•Elizabeth Plasket, Center for Energy and Environmental Education, will present "Be Blown Away by Wind: How We Turn Wind Into Electricity," Aug. 17, 11:30-noon, Variety Theater in the Family Center.
UNI coaches, alumni, friends and GBPAC staff will march in the State Fair parade beginning at 6:30 p.m., Wed., Aug. 8, through downtown Des Moines.
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