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Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention is Focus of New VideoNarrated by Sesame Street's "Susan" |
SourceLead Industries Association ForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesInformation About Lead PoisoningPreventing Childhood Poisoning Product News highlights new products of interest to our readers. These are not product endorsements, nor are they paid advertisements. Information and news releases furnished by the members of PR Newswire, who are responsible for their fact and content. |
Preventing childhood lead poisoning is the goal of a new video featuring Loretta Long, Ph.D., who plays Susan on the acclaimed children's television series Sesame Street. The 10-minute video, developed by the Lead Industries Association (LIA), includes practical tips that parents and childcare providers can follow to prevent lead exposure at home. "Lead poisoning prevention begins with good hygiene, a clean home, proper nutrition and regular visits to the doctor," says Dr. Long. "Overall, the chances of your child getting lead poisoning are slim and dropping rapidly." According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 99.5% of U.S. children are below the level of 20 (micrograms per deciliter), the threshold at which CDC recommends medical care, and more than 95% are below 10 micrograms, the CDC level of concern. The CDC says high lead exposure in the U.S. now often occurs in predictable patterns that help indicate which children are more likely to be exposed to lead. Using those patterns, the CDC has identified the following factors: "If you fall into any of these categories, don't panic," Dr. Long explains. "It doesn't mean that your child will be lead-poisoned. It just means you need to know more about lead to protect your children, because you can reduce the risks of lead poisoning." In the video, Dr. Long offers practical tips to prevent lead poisoning: 1. Make sure children eat healthy, nutritious foods as part of a well-balanced diet; 2. Have your children examined regularly by a doctor; 3. Keep your home clean, wet-wiping floors, countertops and windowsills; 4. Leave dirty shoes at the door or wipe them to avoid bringing lead dust indoors; 5. In older homes, check for flaking, peeling or chipping old paint; 6. Regularly wash toys, bottles, pacifiers and stuffed animals; 7. Wash your children's hands regularly, especially before meals, after snacks or at bedtime; 8. Don't use folk remedies containing lead; 9. Practice lead-using hobbies like stained glass in isolated, well- ventilated places; 10. Don't use ceramics that are homemade, or from unreliable sources, for food. The video provides a toll-free number for the National Lead Information Center, 800-424-LEAD, which parents can call for lead exposure prevention tips. Information on lead in the workplace or for hobbyists can be obtained by calling the LIA at 973-726-LEAD (5323). For more information on the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention video, or to obtain a copy, call the LIA at 973-726-LEAD (5323), or fax requests to 973-726-4484.
CONTACT: Jeffrey T. Miller of the Lead Industries Association, 973-726-LEAD (5323); or Rob Copeland for the Lead Industries Association, 212-678-6033 Date: March 16, 1999 |
