Lead testing - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

30 August 2007 — Parents are rightly concerned when they hear about a massive toy recall involving lead-based paint, but public health officials are reminding parents that repeated, long-term exposure to the toys is the key to whether a child may have been affected. Testing is available for children who may have had that kind of exposure.

“These recalls are certainly a cause for concern,” said State Health Director Dr. Leah Devlin. “But, parents need to think about what kind of exposure children may have had to the toys. Just touching and playing with the toys isn’t the problem. The potential issue arises when children under six years of age repeatedly put the recalled toys in their mouths over and over again.”

In the past two weeks, Mattel Inc. has recalled more than 1.2 million toys nationwide that contain lead paint. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children. To return the recalled toys and receive a refund voucher, consumers need to contact Mattel Inc. A list of the recalled toys can be found on the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s Web site, http://www.cpsc.gov/.

Children from birth through six years of age are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead as they absorb more of the lead that goes into their developing bodies. Lead poisoning can affect nearly every system in the body, and some children may never show signs of an illness. However, lead exposure can delay physical and mental development and cause learning disabilities and behavioral problems, as well as slow muscle and bone growth and damage the central nervous system and kidneys.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 1978, there were 13.5 million children in the United States with elevated blood lead levels (i.e., 10 micrograms per deciliter or greater). By 2002, that number had dropped to 310,000 kids. Over the past 12 years in North Carolina, there has been a dramatic 88 percent decrease in the prevalence of elevated lead exposure among children tested, from 7.0 percent in 1995 to 0.8 percent in 2006.

Repeated, long-term exposure to lead can lead to elevated blood lead levels. A blood lead test is the only way to know for sure if children are exposed to lead. Parents can get them screened at local health departments, clinics or by a private physician.

The most common way children become lead poisoned is from exposure to lead-based paint, which is commonly found in homes built before 1978. Without proper precautions, disturbing the lead paint allows dust to settle on toys, windowsills and floors. Children can then easily swallow bits of dust and paint chips. Children may also be exposed to lead through home health remedies like arzacon and greta, imported candies and toy or costume jewelry.

For information about lead or lead testing, call your local health department or the N.C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Hotline at 1-888-774-0071. Additional information can be found online at the Children’s Environmental Health Branch Web site at http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/Children_Health/index.html.

Back to this week's News Leader