Lead poisoning is still an epidemic ! Read this engaging article about a pioneer Scientist, Phillip Landrigan.

Consumers warned not to use product because it may contain hazardous levels of lead Vita Breath Dietary Supplement Audience: Consumers, healthcare professionals FDA notified healthcare professionals, their patients, and consumers not to consume Vita Breath, a dietary supplement manufactured by American Herbal Lab and marketed at health fairs and on the Internet, because the product may contain hazardous levels of lead.

 The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene analyzed a sample of Vita Breath and reported it contained 1,100 parts per million of lead. This level is more than 10,000 times higher than FDA’s maximum recommended level for lead in candy. People with high blood levels of lead may show no symptoms, but the condition may cause damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Acute lead poisoning may cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody or decreased urinary output. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning.

The FDA is working with state officials in New York and California to further investigate Vita Breath. Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm Phone: 1-800-332-1088 Mail: return the postage-paid FDA form 3500, which may be downloaded from the MedWatch “Download Forms” page, to address on the pre-addressed form Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178 http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHuma nMedicalProducts/ucm210514.htm You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Earlier we posted several flyers warning you or anyone you know not to take lead dust home from your job. We also invited anyone who had a flyer to send it to us for posting. So, we are extending the invitation again and republishing the  earlier post.

Don’t Take Lead Home!

The New York Times reported A new study suggests that Indian spices and ceremonial powders may contain lead at levels that could be hazardous to children.

Lead has been found in house paint and imported toys, and now it appears Indian spices and ceremonial powders may contain lead at levels that may be hazardous to children.

Sindoor, the vermillion powder applied along the hairline or as a dot on the forehead, had the highest contamination levels of some 157 products tested by Boston researchers, with some samples consisting of almost 50 percent lead, according to a paper published early online in the journal Pediatrics on March 15.

New Jersey home owners and landlords can protect their tenants and families from lead poisoning. Take a few minutes to read the following announcement and consider taking the course that can empower you today!

PROTECT YOUR TENANTS – LIMIT YOUR LIABILITY – COMPLY WITH THE LAW

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, in cooperation with the Center for Government Services – Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, will be offering Lead Ready Renovation and Maintenance (LRRM) seminars to assist renovation contractors, property owners and maintenance staff in meeting the training requirements of both the State of New Jersey and the US EPA. The Seminars are comprised of three certification programs: EPA Certified Renovator, EPA Certified Lead Dust Wipe Technician and NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Regulations Certificate Program.
EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Final Rule (40 CFR 745) requires that beginning April 22, 2010, non-exempt renovations conducted for compensation in target housing and child occupied facilities, must be performed by Certified Firms using Certified Renovators. Target housing is defined as housing constructed prior to 1978 which contains one bedroom or larger. Renovation firms and maintenance workers that wish to work in target housing or child-occupied facilities must apply to EPA and pay a fee in order to become certified. Individuals seeking to become Certified Renovators must successfully complete an EPA-accredited renovator course.

In addition, since 2005, New Jersey has required renovators and maintenance workers performing work on all pre-1978 multiple dwellings or shelters housing women and children or rooming and boarding homes housing women and children perform such work using workers trained in lead-safe work practices and applicable NJ regulations. Failure to use properly trained individuals to perform work on pre-1978 multi-family rental housing will be a violation of N.J.A.C. 5:10-6.6(g) and may result in monetary penalties.

For a limited time only, the Department of Community Affairs will sponsor this training and offer the course at a reduced rate of $50 per student. Click here for questions about New Jersey regulations. Also click here  and for more information on the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

See the 2010 Spring Course Schedule – Seminar Registration Form for course numbers, times and locations

Here are directions to the course locations .

For questions regarding the training, please call Rutgers University at 732-932-3640 x 641.

A traditional African remedy used by pregnant women for morning sickness was found to have high levels of lead and arsenic.  Read this special advisory from the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services.

The November 2009 edition of Alliance Alert is available online.