FREEHOLD – Each year, nearly 5,000 New Jersey children are diagnosed with having dangerous levels of lead in their blood.

 

In an effort to reduce and eliminate the exposure of residents to lead, the Monmouth County Health Department is holding four lead-awareness events during the annual Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 19 through 26. Scheduled dates and locations of lead awareness events are:

“Exposure to lead is dangerous to children and adults and poses negative health effects after prolonged exposure,” said Freeholder Barbara McMorrow, who oversees the county’s Department of Health. “These information-based awareness events will give parents and caregivers the tools to assess and remove lead-based products from their homes and play areas.”

           

All of the events will include offer free Home Test Kits, giveaways for children and awareness materials.  The Oct. 25 event in Lakewood will offer Lead Level Blood screening,

 

Lead, a metallic substance, remains in the environment years after its initial use. It is toxic to the body’s tissues and enzymes. Lead poisoning results from exposure to lead in the environment. Even though lead has been banned for decades, it still may be present in homes built prior to 1978 and is most commonly found in chipping or peeling paints, plumbing and surrounding soil.  

 

Removing or avoiding lead sources or early detection through blood screening is the best means to prevent lead poisoning. Lead can forever be removed through proper abatement techniques.

 

“New Jersey is committed to eliminating lead poisoning in New Jersey by the year 2010,” said Julie Coveney, the county Lead Education and Outreach Coordinator. “We are doing our part by raising awareness and providing people with the tools to assess their exposure to lead.”

 

Testing your home for lead is an important step you can take to understand your risk level. Free home test kits are available to homeowners, landlords and renters.  

 

For more information please contact the Monmouth County Health Dept. Lead Education and Outreach office at 732-683-8509, or e-mail jcoveney@co.monmouth.nj.us.

 

“Lead poisoning can affect nearly every system in the body, but because lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms it frequently goes unrecognized,” said Michael Meddis, Monmouth County’s Public Health Coordinator. “Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems and, at very high levels, seizures, coma and even death.

 

According to the CPSC, lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. Children may be exposed to it from consumer products through normal hand-to-mouth activity, which is part of their normal development. They often place toys and fingers in their mouth, exposing themselves to lead paint or dust.

 

For more information, contact the Monmouth County Health Department at (732) 431-7456.

 

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