No level of lead is safe for a child?s blood.
That is the message being spread today by the Baltimore-based Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning at a candlelight vigil at War Memorial Plaza.
The coalition and supporters will gather to light more than 200 candles in honor of the 1,331 Maryland children diagnosed with dangerous levels of lead in their blood in 2005.
“We want to make sure people understand there had been good success on this issue, but we have a long way to go,” said Ruth Ann Norton, executive director of the Lead Safe Coalition.
The vigil is not raising money, but Norton said the aim is quite political. “We wanted to make sure Gov. Elect Martin O?Malley and [legislators] understand that we have a job to finish together.”
O?Malley signed a pledge to help make Maryland?s children lead free by 2010.
While they have achieved about 97 percent success, she said, too many new children continue to be diagnosed each year ? most from lead poisoning from paint, dust and building materials in their homes.
However, the final hurdles are significant, she said, and they affect more than just inner city residents who can?t afford new housing.
Baltimore County had 110 new cases of lead poisoning last year according to state statistics, more than Montgomery and Prince George?s counties combined.
Grant money in Baltimore City isn?t always helping the children most affected, she said. “Only 4 percent of the grant money is going to rentals with poisoned children.”
Nearly 500,000 children live with lead levels high enough to cause irreversible damage in this country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead does not break down or decompose, meaning lead from old paints, windows and discarded batteries remains in the environment.
This is the first in a series commemorating National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
Lead-laced toy recall comes ahead of holiday gift-giving
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation Target Stores, announced a voluntary recall of various Kool Toyz children?s products for risks of lead exposure and sharp edges that could harm children.
“Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed,” the recall notice stated.
About 190,500 products, ranging from military playsets to playground and dreamhouse suites were sold by Target Stores, based in Minneapolis. The toys were produced by Toy Century Some of these toys contain lead paint, according to the CPSC, which is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause brain damage and developmental disorders or death. Also, some of the toys have sharp points.
Target has received four reports of toys breaking apart, exposing sharp points, according to the release. No injuries have been reported.
The recall involves Kool Toyz brand toys, including sets containing die-cast cars, playground set, doll house set, dinosaurs, trucks, boats and planes. The packaging is primary blue and has the Kool Toyz logo is on the upper left corner of the packaging.
Products recalled for lead hazards:
» Truck Carry Case
» Tiny Playground Set
» Dream House Play Set
» Air Land Sea Defense Play Set
» Tank Action Figure Play Set
» Helicopter Action Figure Play Set
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission
