Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/23/2011 - 10/29/2011
9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Nearly a quarter of a million children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to cause significant damage to their health, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on data from a 2003–2004 national survey. Major sources of lead exposure among U.S. children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in buildings.
“Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning should be preventable” explains Orange County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Jean M. Hudson. Lead can be found primarily in homes built prior to 1978, but has also been found in toys, prompting many recent recalls.
To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention and encourage testing of all children, the Orange County Department of Health, along with NYSDOH, CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is participating in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 23 – 29. To learn more, visit www.leadfreekids.org.
“This year’s NLPPW theme, ‘Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future,’ underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects,” states Edward A. Diana, Orange County Executive.
Parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead in many ways. Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your family:
Get your Home Tested. Before you buy a pre-1978 home, ask for a lead inspection.
Get your Child Tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead. NYS Public Health Law states that all children must be tested at ages one and two.
Get the Facts! Your local health department can provide you with helpful information about preventing childhood lead poisoning. Contact them at (845) 568-5237.
Join Lead Safe Orange by calling (845) 568-5257
CDC National Lead Poisoning Prevention Campaign CDC National Lead Poisoning Prevention Campaign
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