Free Lead Testing for Kids and Toys
In recognition of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 21-27, Burlington County and Virtua Community Nursing Services will conduct lead screening for uninsured children and children on Medicaid on Monday, October 22 and Friday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Burlington County Health Department off Woodlane Road in Westampton. Free lead testing for children’s toys also will be offered on October 26 from 10 a.m. - noon. Bill Radosevich from Thermo Fisher Scientific and Leann Howell of ALPHA Lead will provide the lead screening of toys. The Health Department will have a list with photos of toys that have been recalled for lead content. Freeholder Dawn Marie Addiego, who oversees the Health Department, said, “We are encouraging physicians, nurse practitioners and other health professionals to have children tested for lead. Special vigilance is required with young children who may crawl on dusty floors and place their fingers in their mouths, ingesting lead dust from old paint.” Recent high profile toy recalls for excessive amounts of lead paint has prompted parents to take a second look at the harmful effects of lead. In addition to lead from some toys, children can be exposed to lead in older homes from peeling paint and lead dust. New Jersey State law requires lead screening for children between 6 months and 6 years of age. “There is no way to compare the amount of lead a child could ingest from a toy or from lead dust within the home or in soils around the home,” said Robert Gogats, Public Health Coordinator. “In young children, lead exposure can result in long-lasting neurological damage including learning and behavioral problems and lowered intelligence.” For questions about lead in the home, call the national hotline 1-800-424-LEAD or to request a home lead testing kit, call 1-888-722-2903. For a list of recalls, visit www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/Recalls/default.htm. Other resources include the South Jersey Regional Childhood Lead Prevention Coalition 1-800-999-9045 ext. 6140, the New Jersey Lead Safe program www.state.nj.us/dca/leadsafe/index.shtml, and the Burlington County Health Department Lead Program at 609-265-3734. The Burlington County Health Department is located at 15 Pioneer Boulevard next to the County Library.
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Author: Press Release-Burlington County
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