Media Advisory

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

What:

Free toy-testing events will be held in Concord and Pittsburg this month to detect unsafe levels of lead in children's toys. Parents can bring up to three children's products to test and will receive instant results about the potential hazard. Items with the highest risk include older painted toys, vinyl toys and children's products, and inexpensive jewelry. The Concord testing event is sponsored by Contra Costa Health Services, the Center for Environmental Health and Monument First 5.

When & Where:

Monday, October 18
10 a.m. to noon
Monument Community First 5 Center
1736 Clayton Road, Concord

Saturday, October 23
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pittsburg Adult Education Center
1001 Stoneman Avenue, Pittsburg

Why:

Millions of metal, plastic and painted wooden toys have been recalled because they contain lead. Lead can seriously harm a child's development, learning and behavior. Children can be checked for lead by a simple blood test. For a list of recalled toys, visit www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/Recalls. For more information about lead poisoning, visit www.cchealth.org/topics/lead_poison/ or call 1-866-FIX-LEAD.

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