Screening for children ages 13 months to less than 72 months will take place each week during the month of January, starting on Jan. 8.
To address what county officials describe as the low rates of childhood lead screenings in Burlington County, the Burlington County Health Department and Virtua Community Nursing Services will be conducting lead screening for children ages 13 months to less than 72 months each week during the month of January, starting on Jan. 8 at the Burlington County Health Department.
“We are encouraging parents to bring their children to come out and get tested, and learn more about what you can do to protect your family against lead,” said Burlington County Health Department Director and Health Officer Holly Funkhouser Cucuzzella. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children. That is why are working with our partner Virtua to offer additional dates and times for lead screenings in an effort to screen more children.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there are approximately 500,000 children with high levels of lead in their bodies. The primary exposure to lead in children in the United States is through lead-based paint, but unknown to many, lead is also in many products, such as makeup, toys, jewelry, zippers, and imported ceramics (plates, bowls, mugs, etc.).
Officials say lead exposure in a child’s body can cause learning and behavior problems. It can slow down growth and development; damage hearing and speech or make it hard to pay attention and learn.
The child lead screenings will take place at the Burlington County Health Department, located at 15 Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton.
The dates and times for the walk-in January screenings are as follows:
· Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
· Monday, Jan. 14 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
· Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
· Monday, Jan. 28 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
· Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
For questions about lead in the home, call the national hotline 1–800–424-LEAD (5323).
Other resources include the Southern Regional Lead and Healthy Homes Coalition at (856) 665–6000, the Burlington County Health Department Lead Program at (609)265–5515, and the state of New Jersey Lead Safe program at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/leadsafe.html.
