For Immediate Release

Oct. 23, 2017
Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645
lernerj@co.rockland.ny.us

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Marks Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert joined staff members at a display designed to raise awareness about Lead Poisoning Prevention Week,

"Lead poisoning isn't a problems from the past," the County Executive said. "Lead continues to be a major cause of poisoning among children and can seriously harm a child's health."

Children under age 6 are most at risk for lead poisoning caused by swallowing or breathing in lead. Most children get lead poisoning from living or staying in older homes that have lead painted window sills, window frames and walls. Many homes built before 1978 have lead paint inside and outside.

The County Executive issued a proclamation declaring the week of October 22 - 28, 2017 as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Rockland.

"This proclamation reinforces our commitment to having every child in Rockland County grow up in a healthy, safe environment, free from the harmful effects of lead," said County Executive Day.

Educational materials, including a banner made from hand prints of hundreds of children in North Rockland, are on display in the lobby of the Allison-Parris County Office Building, at 11 New Hempstead Road, New City.

For more information go here or to: http://bit.ly/2yMBRpx

(photo: Rockland Department of Health employees Kathleen Smith, Bernadette Fontanges, Kay Abraham, Dr. Maria Cecilia Mosquera, County Executive Ed Day, Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, Tonya LaFrancois, Patrice Robertson and Shari Stopler)

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