Media Advisory

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September 21, 2007

What:

In response to the state health department's recall of promotional lunchboxes due to lead hazards on Thursday, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) urges the public to immediately stop using the lunchboxes and take them to county drop-off sites for recalled toys. The state provided the lunchboxes as nutrition educational items to local health departments, and CCHS distributed the lunchboxes through its nutrition program to community agencies and public programs, such as Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program and Head Start. CCHS has ceased all distribution of the state lunchboxes, which have green or blue canvas exteriors with the Eat 5 a Day logo and are lined with vinyl.

Why:

Though the risk posed by the lunchboxes is small, lead poses a serious health risk, especially to young children. There are many sources of lead poisoning in the environment and the effects are cumulative. Most children won't have any symptoms of lead poisoning so it is important that children under 5 years old are tested, according to Joanne Genêt, manager of the CCHS Contra Costa Lead Poisoning Prevention Project. Blood tests for lead poisoning are part of routine checkups for children. Parents should ask their child's health care provider if they have concerns.

When & Where:

The lunchboxes should be kept out of children's reach and returned to where they were obtained or brought to toy drop-off sites located at LPPP's office and Contra Costa County Supervisors' offices throughout the county. Most drop-off sites are open during business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon-Fri.):

• Contra Costa Lead Poisoning Prevention Project 597 Center Ave., Martinez, 1-866-349-5323
• District 1 Supervisor John Gioia 11780 San Pablo Ave., Suite D, El Cerrito, 510-374-3231
• District 2 Supervisor Gayle Uilkema 651 Pine Street, Room 108A, Martinez, 925-335-1046
• District 3 Supervisor Mary Piepho 309 Diablo Road, Danville, 925-820-8683 or 1200 Central Blvd., Suite B, Brentwood, 925-240-7260
• District 4 Supervisor Susan Bonilla 2151 Salvio St., Suite R, Concord, 925-521-7100
• District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover 315 E. Leland Road, Pittsburg, 925-427-8138

For more information on the lunchbox recall and pictures, lead poisoning prevention and testing for lead exposure, visit the CCHS website at www.cchealth.org/topics/lead_poison or call 1-866-349-5323. Agencies that have the lunchboxes should call 925-313-6764. For more information about the state's recall, visit http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/news/Pages/PH07-39.aspx

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