LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County officials are working to raise awareness of childhood lead poisoning.
The effort was launched as part of Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which takes place from Oct. 22 to 28.
This year’s theme this year is, “Healthy homes, food, and play areas protect children from lead.”
Campaign highlights include; presentations to various parent and community groups that serve children from 0-6 years of age, distributions of lead poisoning prevention information cards and posters to preschools and childcare facilities, and mailings to medical providers and labs that perform lead testing. Wide and varied distribution of information will assure that lead poisoning prevention facts are shared throughout the community.
Lead poisoning can seriously affect a child’s brain and nervous system. It can cause learning and behavioral problems. A blood lead test is the only way to identify lead poisoning in children.
"The purpose of this campaign is to remind parents that lead poisoning can be detrimental to young children’s health and development. It's important for parents to ask their child’s doctor about lead testing,” said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait.
In California, children can be exposed to lead by ingesting lead-contaminated dust, paint chips from deteriorating lead-based paint, and lead-contaminated soil.
Other sources of lead poisoning include lead dust brought home on parents' work clothes, certain imported ceramic pottery, painted objects, certain inexpensive jewelry, traditional home remedies, imported spices, candies, and other food products.
Additionally, activities that involve lead products such as soldering, making stained glass, and handling bullets or fishing sinkers can put children at risk.
All parents and caregivers of young children are invited to contact Lake County Health Services Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and learn how to protect their children from this silent and serious environmental disease.
The Health Services Department can be reached at 707-263-1090 or http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Public_Health_Home.htm.
Lake County launches campaign to increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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