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Woodbridge News
Oct. 31, 2005
Press Conference. . . Press Conference. . . Press Conference. . .
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Woodbridge Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge (just off Route 35, across from Main Library)
WHO: Mayor Frank G. Pelzman – Health Director Dennis Green – Representatives from Alcoa Foundation
The Woodbridge Health and Human Services Department will initiate a “Lead Smart is Lead Safe” education program campaign to combat lead poisoning , Mayor Frank G. Pelzman has announced.
The press conference announcing the campaign takes place at 10 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Woodbridge Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge .
While lead poisoning is a danger to people of all ages, it is especially harmful to children. Children whose systems contain high levels of lead suffer damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and behavior and learning problems.
With support from an Alcoa Foundation grant for Safe and Healthy Children and Families, the Woodbridge Health and Human Services Department is inaugurating a year-long, Township-wide lead poisoning prevention campaign.
The Department will conduct education workshops, screening clinics, outreach to elementary schools and pediatricians and new lead poisoning information brochures in English, Spanish and Gujarati.
Lead poisoning is the number one environmental health issue affecting children under the age of six. Each year, nearly 1,000 New Jersey children are diagnosed with lead poisoning while thousands more are diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels. The children are from every ethnic group, every background and every county in the state.
According to the New Jersey Interagency Lead Poisoning Prevention Task Force, 3% of New Jersey children tested in 2003 were found to have a blood lead level at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter – the level the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated may cause health and/or developmental problems in children.
Before its use in paints was regulated in 1977, lead was regularly used to increase the durability and color-fastness of house paint and in more than 100 common household items including ceramics, pottery and dishes. In Woodbridge an estimated 30% of the housing units were built between 1950 and 1977.
“In an area with an older housing stock, it is important to stay vigilant in monitoring lead exposure,” says Mayor Pelzman. “With this generous grant from Alcoa Foundation aiding our effort, we want to get as many children tested as possible while informing adults about the ongoing hazards of lead in the environment.”
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