For Immediate Release Contact: Irene G. Warren, Director of Development
(Xenia,
OH) Mark A. McDonnell, Health Commissioner, Greene County Combined Health
District (GCCHD) has announced that the District will be celebrating National
Lead Awareness Week, The Mission is Possible: Lead-Safe Kids, July
21 – 27, 2003.
Ohio
has one of the highest numbers of lead poisoned children in the country. Ohio
has a problem and the residents of Greene County are asked to help make Ohio
Lead-Safe of children.
Children
age infants to six are most at risk for lead poisoning. When lead enters a
child’s body it causes; damage to the brain and central nervous system;
effect’s the ability to learn by lowering the IQ; and delays speech and
language development. Any exposure
to lead can permanently affect children, which can cause: kidney damage;
attention deficit disorder; and speech, language and behavior problems.
Children often do not show signs of lead poisoning, sometimes they
experiences symptoms of the flu.
Protect
children from lead poisoning by:
·
Having
children eat healthy nutritious foods high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C.
·
Children
should wash hands before meals, after playing outside, and after playing with
pets.
·
Be sure to
have children tested twice before the age of six (finger prick) by Greene County
Combined Health District or your healthcare provider.
For
more information, contact Greene County Combined Health District, Director of
Health Education, Sara T. Pappa, at (937) 374-5600 or 1-866-858-3588 or the Ohio
Department of Health 1-877-668-5323.
Greene
County Combined Health District – Your center for public health services and
health information in Greene County for over 70 years.
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