Lead Testing For Children In Burlington County This Month

The Burlington County Health Department and Virtua Community Nursing Services will conduct additional lead screenings for children ages 13 months to less than 72 months each week this month, officials announced.

“Striving to increase screening rates, our Virtua Health partners have scheduled additional opportunities for families to have their children screened for elevated blood lead levels. High lead levels negatively impact the developing brain and raise the risk of learning problems, behavioral problems and mental illness,” Burlington County Health Department Director Dr. Herb Conaway said. “Early identification of lead toxicity means more timely intervention to prevent the devastating, life-long effects of lead exposure. Let’s get our children screened.”

In at least four million households nationwide, children are being exposed to high levels of lead, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates. It also said that at least half a million children ages 1-5 have blood levels above 5 μg/dl, the reference level at which the CDC recommends public health actions be taken.

The primary exposure to lead in children in the United States is through lead-based paint, according to the CDC. However, lead is also in many products, such as makeup, toys, jewelry, zippers, and imported ceramics (plates, bowls, mugs), officials said.

The child lead screenings will take place at the Burlington County Health Department, 15 Pioneer Boulevard in Westampton. The first screening was held on Monday, April 1. The rest of the schedule for the month is as follows:

• Tuesday, April 2, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Monday, April 8, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 9, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Monday, April 15, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
• Monday, April 22, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
• Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Monday, April 29, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
• Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There will also be a community screening at the Carslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks Street in Bordentown on Monday, April 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and at the Bordentown Township Senior Center, 3 Municipal Drive in Bordentown on Wednesday, April 24.

Appointments can also be made by request by calling 609-914-8550. 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 https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/leadsafe.html.