Free lead screening coming to Carbon
From the Lehighton Times News
March 17, 2009
Program is one of many that is coming to Children’s Fun-N-Safety fair
By AMY ZUBEK azubek@tnonline.com
A free lead screening program is coming to Carbon County.
On May 2, during the third annual Children’s Fun-N-Safety Fair, children and pregnant or lactating women will have the opportunity to get screened to see if they have been exposed to lead. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Carbon Masonic Lodge, located at Fifth and Center streets in Jim Thorpe.
Susan Tyler, chairperson of Carbon County Safe Kids, announced that the screenings are part of PinnacleHealth’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. This is the first time lead screening will be available at the fair. Screenings are free.
The program will be conducted in a mobile van, which Joyce Ravinskas, program coordinator for PinnacleHealth’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, refers to as a kid-friendly “lab on wheels.”
Ravinskas explained that children ages 6 months to 7 years can be screened to see if they were exposed to lead.
Children, as well as adults, can be exposed to lead through a number of ways.
According to a press release published by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, “Lead is inhaled or consumed from peeling lead-based paint; lead-contaminated dust, soil and water; and other sources in and around the home. Lead poisoning affects people of all ages, but most severely affects young children under the age of 6, whose primary source of exposure is from deteriorated lead-based paint and lead dust in their homes.”
If lead poisoning is not treated, it can cause damage to the brain, nervous system, or kidneys; as well as cause learning and physical development problems, blindness, speech and hearing problems, weak muscles, high blood pressure, anemia, convulsions, mental problems, paralysis, or death.
“Lead exposure can also be especially harmful to pregnant women and women of childbearing age,” states the Pennsylvania Department of Health. “Lead can be stored in a woman’s body and if she becomes pregnant, may be carried to her unborn child, causing premature birth, birth defects, developmental problems and even miscarriage.”
Symptoms for lead poisoning can include stomach aches, cramping, headaches, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, fatigue, irritability, vision problems, loss of appetite or sleeplessness.
Ravinskas explained that anyone who wants to get their child screened on May 2, should accompany their child because a parental or guardian signature is required.
The PinnacleHealth Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program began in 1985 to help treat Pennsylvania children who were exposed to lead, as well as provide education to prevent lead poisoning.
In 2007, PinnacleHealth the mobile lead van, which is equipped with heating and air-conditioning, a sink with running water, space for educational materials, equipment storage and a refrigerator, was implemented and allowed the program to reach more children. The van is designed as a “mini-clinic” and has all equipment that is necessary to be able to complete blood lead screenings.
The Carbon County Children’s Fun-N-Safety Fair is sponsored by Carbon Masonic Lodge 242 and partnered with Carbon County Safe Kids. Other programs that will be featured on May 2, include a fire safety house; Safety Town; bike safety with a coconut-crusher demonstration, which shows why a child should wear a helmet; safety in and around cars; sun safety; water and animal safety and the CHIP program. There will also be free food and refreshments, as well as giveaways, face painting, Smokey Bear, and more.
The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information on the event or to become a volunteer or a sponsor, contact Jerry Dotter at (570) 325-2420 or (570) 657-0823 or Susan Tyler at (570) 325-6106.