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March
13, 2003
Little
Rock
- The Arkansas Department of Health is advising
residents of Church & Pyburn Streets and parents of
children who may have played on a lot at the corner of West
Church & Thomasville Streets in Pocahontas of possible
risks associated with elevated lead levels found in grit piles
dumped near the lot.
The grit piles resulted from the paint stripping of a
nearby bridge.
Residents living or playing in the area over the past
two years may have been exposed to the elevated lead levels.
Although
the risk of lead contamination due to the grit piles is
extremely small, the Arkansas Department of Health is
recommending that any child six years old or younger that
lived or played in the area of the lot over the past two years
come in for blood lead screening.
A screening clinic will be held at the Randolph County
Health Unit on March 20th from 8:30-3:30.
The County Health Officer, Dr. Danny Holt, announced
the screening to church members last evening and the Randolph
County Health Unit will place fliers in the surrounding
neighborhood today.
Children
six and younger are especially vulnerable to lead exposure
because they often put objects or soil into their mouths.
Ingestion is the main route of exposure to lead.
The best way parents can prevent exposure to lead via
soil is by washing their children’s hands often, especially
before eating.
The face should also be washed before eating.
It is also important to rinse any toys or pacifiers the
child may put into its mouth.
Being sure your child gets plenty of calcium and iron
can also help prevent the body from absorbing as much lead.
The
Health Department will provide free blood lead testing to
children six or younger in the Pocahontas area that may have
been exposed.
Educational materials will also be available for
parents or guardians.
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