Lead Dangers Are In Unexpected Places
October 27, 2008 by ellen
Filed under Environmental Issues
According to an article reported on msnbc.com lead is still found in many household items such as ceramics, faucets, and garden soil.
To read the article click here.
Just in Time for Child Lead Poisoning Prevention WeeK!
October 17, 2008 by deborah
Filed under Childhood Issues
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday set stringent new standards for airborne lead particles, following the recommendations of its science advisers and cutting the maximum allowable concentrations to a tenth of the previous standard. It was the first change in federal lead standards in three decades.
But the cleanup of areas with excessive lead levels is not required for more than eight years, and the system of monitors that detect the toxic contaminant is frayed. Currently, 133 monitors are in operation nationwide, down from about 800 in 1980, an E.P.A. spokeswoman, Cathy Milbourn, said. The agency is working on rebuilding this network, to include more than 300 monitors, Ms. Milbourn said.
The new standards set the limits for exposure at 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter of air, down from 1.5 micrograms, and well within the outer limit of 0.2 micrograms recommended by the advisers.
Click here to read the full article.
Infant Deaths Drop in U.S., but Rate Is Still High!
October 16, 2008 by deborah
Filed under Childhood Issues
According to an article in the New York Times, infant deaths in the United States declined 2 percent in 2006, government researchers reported Wednesday, but the rate still remains well above that of most other industrialized countries and is one of many indicators suggesting that Americans pay more but get less from their health care system.
Infant mortality has long been considered one of the most important indicators of the health of a nation and the quality of its medical system. In 1960, the United States ranked 12th lowest in the world, but by 2004, the latest year for which comparisons were issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that ranking had dropped to 29th lowest.
This international gap has widened even though the United States devotes a far greater share of its national wealth to health care than other countries. In 2006, Americans spent $6,714 per capita on health — more than twice the average of other industrialized countries.
Click here to read the full article.
Doubling of Vitamin D for Children Is Urged
October 15, 2008 by deborah
Filed under Childhood Issues
The New York Times reported that the country’s leading group of pediatricians is recommending that children receive double the usually suggested amount of vitamin D because of evidence that it might help prevent serious diseases.
To meet the new recommendation of 400 units daily, millions of children will need to take vitamin D supplements each day, the American Academy of Pediatrics said. That includes breast-fed infants — even those who get some formula — and many teenagers who drink little or no milk.
Click here to read the full story.
Lead Poisoning-3 Newly Released Effective Health Education Brochures From New Jersey
October 10, 2008 by rosie
Filed under Environmental Issues
Three health education brochures have been released for distribution in New Jersey from the Health Department.
Two of the brochures have a very targeted distribution focus and one is for general distribution. All three deliver a simple yet powerful lead poisoning message that should be distributed to families.
An Important Message About Lead Poisoning
From Your Child’s School
This brochure is for private, public and charter schools in New Jersey for distribution to parents.
This brochure is for local health departments to distribute to other residential units, when one unit has been identified as having elevated levels of lead dust as related to a child’s lead poisoning.
This is an old time favorite brochure with a new face and features. It is for general distribution. A Spanish version is on the way!
Don’t Take Lead Home From Your Job!
October 9, 2008 by rosie
Filed under Environmental Issues
Don’t Take Lead Home From Your Job is the focus of a powerful educational brochure from the California Department of Health Department. The publication is in both English and Spanish.
We are also listing flyers from New Jersey in both English and Spanish. If you have brochures from your location you would like posted please send to support@beintheknownj.org.
Don’t Take Lead Home From Your Job-English-CA
Don’t Take Lead Home From Your Job-Spanish-CA
Don’t Take Lead Dust Home From Work-English-NJ
Don’t Take Lead Dust Home From Work-Spanish-NJ
Do You Cook With Traditional Pottery?
October 7, 2008 by rosie
Filed under Environmental Issues
Do you cook with traditional pottery? Or do you know other people who cook with traditional pottery? If the answer is yes please read and distribute this information flyer on lead poisoning hazards and traditional pottery. Note that you can customize this flyer by adding your own or agency contact information after you print the flyer.
Our special thanks to Ann Wilson, Arc of New Jersey for sharing this, and other materials, with us.
Feel free to share other important consumer flyers and posters pertaining to lead poisoning. Also, refer to the page on lead week activites.
