Sponsored by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders in recognition of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 23 to 29, the Burlington County Health Department will conduct free lead testing for children’s toys Friday, October 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Health Department off Woodlane Road in Westampton. Testing will be limited to five items per household.
“Lead poisoning is preventable,” Burlington County Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien said. “The key is stopping children from coming into contact with products that contain lead. One way is for parents to take advantage of our free testing program.”
A child’s brain grows the fastest between zero and six years of age. Exposure to lead, a highly toxic metal, can have serious health effects in children. Children with high blood-lead levels can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches.
“It is important to offer parents the opportunity to get toys and other household items checked,” Burlington County Health Officer, Robert Gogats said. “To help your children be safe from lead, make sure they do not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint, regularly wash children’s hands and toys that may come into contact with lead dust or particles and use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there are 310,000 children with high levels of lead in their bodies. The primary exposure to lead in children in the United States is through lead-based paint, but lead is also showing up in many products, such as toys, jewelry, zippers, and imported ceramics (plates, bowls, mugs) much to the alarm of parents.
Not all retailers test their merchandise for lead, such as flea markets, discount or dollar stores and mom-and-pop vendors. The Health Department also advises against buying used children’s products, because it’s hard for parents to know where the items came from.
For more information, please contact the Burlington County Health Department at 265–5548.
