Coalition Formed to Prevent Lead Poisoning in Lancaster County
Almost 10 percent of Lancaster County children under age seven are found to have lead poisoning. This is a higher percentage than in any other county in the state, according to a Pennsylvania Department of Health report. Lead poisoning can damage the brain and nervous system, and cause premature birth, among other impairments.
Because of the significant concern over lead poisoning, Lancaster General Health, in partnership with PinnacleHealth, the PA Department of Health, F&M College, the City of Lancaster and interested physicians formed the Lancaster Lead Coalition in 2010 with the goals of preventing , screening and tracking lead poisoning. One initiative provides free lead testing for pregnant women and children ages six and younger by PinnacleHealth at the county's ChildProtect locations.
Dr. Alan S. Peterson, associate director, Family & Community Medicine, Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, wrote about the formation of the Lancaster Lead Coalition and why the initiative is so important. Dr. Peterson notes there are more than 75,000 homes in Lancaster County built before 1978, the year lead paint was banned for residential use, and thousands of families could be at risk for elevated blood lead levels and lead poisoning. Read the entire article here.
Free Lead Testing Locations
Free lead testing by PinnacleHealth is held the second Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and every third Tuesday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lancaster County WIC, 601 S. Queen St., Lancaster; and the third Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Southeast Lancaster Health Services, 625 South Duke Street, Lancaster.
Testing will also be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ChildProtect sites in Columbia, Gap, New Holland and Bart. Call 1-800-374-7114 or click here.
Click here to return to the May 2011 Edition of the CBU.