Home Lead Testing

LeadCheck is a kit that helps us identify leachable lead from any surface in about 30 seconds. Lead can be found in so many places in the home such as mini-blinds, paint, ceramics, vinyl lunchboxes and bathtubs. Scary!
LeadCheck is recognized by the EPA, and can be purchased at most home improvement stores. LeadCheck also has test kits for detecting lead in drinking water or soil.

Lead in a Variety of Children's Juices and Foods

A recent report by the Environmental Law Foundation, a California non-profit, indicated that there is lead in a variety of popular children's juices, canned fruits, and baby foods, even the organic varieties.
The ELF sampled a variety of the foods and found levels of lead that exceeded allowances under California's Proposition 65, a law that requires notice to consumers by means of warning labels when foods are tainted. The levels for lead stipulated in Proposition 65 are considerably lower than the federal standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The complete list includes 125 products—apple juice, grape juice, packaged peaches, pears, and fruit cocktail—from brands such as Del Monte, Gerber, Welch’s, Trader Joe’s, and more (click here for complete list).

Here are a few things you can do to reduce kids exposure to lead consumptions, according to Dr David Katz, MD:
1) Consider a reduction in kids' juice, and more water.
2)  Choose organic foods whenever possible. 
3) Be familiar with, and vigilant about the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in a child.
4) As a matter of routine, ask your pediatrician if lead testing is warranted. 
5) Don't stop feeding your child fruit, because the net benefits of eating produce certainly outweigh, as a rule, any very tiny potential harm.


Sources: Prevention, Shine, ELF

Children's Books Recall

More than 200,000 "Big Rex and Friends" Cloth Books, made in China for St. Martin's Press, have been recalled due to high levels of lead in the red plastic dot sewn into the book .

The recall, announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission Jan. 8, involves cloth books with black and white striped borders with red dinosaurs on the covers. The words "Big Rex and Friends" are printed on the cover. ISBN 031249260X or 9780312492601 is printed on the back of the book. They were sold at Barnes & Noble, Toys "R" Us, Amazon, Borders and other bookstores and retailers nationwide from May 2004 through October 2009 for about $9.

Parents can get a full refund by contactin St. Martin’s Press at (800) 347-9411 or priddybooks.com/recall.

Sources: Macmillan and Daily Green

Lead Hazard

Exposure to lead is very dangerous to kids and adults, resulting in permanent brain damage, heart problems, behavioral and developmental problems.

Unfortunately millions of children are still experiencing lead poisoning from lead paint in older homes and low quality toys, and contaminated soil and drinking water. Kids tend to put objects and toys in their mouths, and not wash their hands as frequently.

Children should be tested for lead levels by pediatricians at ages 1 and 2. Protect your family by checking potential sources of lead at home and day care. Also, ensure they are receiving good nutrition with recommended levels of iron, vitamin C and calcium to help reduce lead absorption.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)