Lead Prevention Program
Contact: Bonnie Vincent - 584-7460 ext 358
Lead Screening:
- Is provided at the Saratoga County Public Health Nursing Office to children 9 months to 6 years of age who are not insured.
- Insured children should be routinely test at age 1 and 2 by their primary care provider.
- Results of lead tests on all Saratoga County children are reported to our program and entered in the “Leadtrac” computer system for statistics, follow-up and reports.
The Public Health Nurse Provides:
- Follow-up home visits to families whose child exhibits a higher than normal lead level.
- Referral for environmental evaluation by the N.Y.S. Department of Health District Environmental Office as necessary.
- Education to increase awareness regarding lead in our environment, measures to reduce exposure and nutritional guidelines.
- Follow-up for at-risk children by scheduling subsequent screenings, or referral to their private physician if indicated.
Tips for Avoiding Lead in Children’s Toys, Jewelry and Other Products
• Check for product recalls: The CPSC (www.cpsc.gov) and the New York State Department of Health (http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/lead) list products that have been recalled by the CPSC. If you own one, either discard the item or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
• Buy smart: Particularly for metal toy jewelry, if the item is inexpensive yet is heavy for its size and looks like silver, it is possible that the item contains lead. Some experts have recommended that all metal children’s jewelry be avoided since it is difficult for a consumer to determine the lead content of the item. Also be aware of other hazards such as small parts and magnets.
• Observe your children: Because lead is often on the surface of toys (such as painted items, lead-containing vinyl items which have aged or tattered, or jewelry with little or no coating over the leaded metal), there is potential risk of exposure. Since most children have frequent hand-to-mouth activity, it is particularly important to remove items that may contain lead. Frequent hand washing will help reduce lead intake from hand-to-mouth activity.
• Talk to your child’s pediatrician: Exposure to lead from children’s products may result in elevated blood lead levels. Other sources of exposure such as lead paint can also poison a child. For lead in older wall paint, as little as a dime-size paint chip can result in lead poisoning. A blood test will not tell if the lead came from children’s
toys or from leaded paint, but it can provide information to guide the parent to take precautions to prevent continuing exposure. A blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter or higher is considered lead poisoning and requires follow-up by your health care provider.
• Test items using methods available to the consumer: Many stores offer testing kits that enable the consumer to test items for lead. While these kits have varying degrees of certainty, and are not as specific as a laboratory analysis, they can be used to determine whether high levels of lead are likely to be present.
For more information, contact the New York State Attorney General’s Office’s consumer hotline at 1-800-771-7755.
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