Task force hosts lead testing event

A county non-profit organization is encouraging residents to “Get the Lead Out” of household items this April.

The Lead Free Douglas County 2010 Task Force in cooperation with Twin Ports Testing is hosting “Get The Lead Out,” an afternoon of free lead testing and lead educational event.

The free event runs from 2-5 p.m. April 30 at the Superior Public Library, large meeting room.

Douglas County residents may bring up to three items to be evaluated by Twin Ports Testing. Nursing staff will be available to answer any medical-related questions. Vicki Drake of the Douglas County Health Department, task force chair, is distributing educational materials and discussing lead exposure and prevention issues at the event.

Lead poisoning is the top preventable environmental health hazard in the United States and can harm young children and babies even before they are born. Lead exposure, even at low levels, can severely harm children causing nervous system and kidney damage, learning disabilities, decreased muscle and bone growth, hearing difficulties and behavioral problems.

For more information, call Sandy Al-Qudah at 394-6617.

Tags: children, lead, free, library, kidney, muscle, babies