By Thor Jourgensen
The Daily Item

Lynn - Nearly nine out of 10 local children were tested for lead contamination last year, but a local health coordinator is working to ensure all children under five years old are tested.

Casandra Farguheson said efforts to prevent lead poisoning by testing children accelerate this week as municipal and state officials and health workers highlight the dangers of exposure to lead.

More than 300,000 children across the United States are poisoned every year by lead, often from exposure to lead paint commonly found in homes built before 1978.

Disturbing paint allows dust to settle on toys, windowsills and floors. Children can easily swallow bits of dust and paint chips through normal hand-to-mouth activities.

Lead poisoning can affect growth and development, speech and hearing, and cause learning or behavior problems. Doctors use a blood test to detect lead in children ages 1-4.

Farguheson coordinates lead poisoning prevention efforts for North Shore Medical Center. She said 86 percent of Lynn children ages nine months to four years were tested for lead in 2006 compared to 73 percent of children statewide.

"Lynn did good, but my goal as the lead poisoning educator is to see doctors screen all kids below five years old and make the Lynn number 100 percent," she said.

Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. has dedicated this week to lead prevention efforts, reminding residents they can take several steps to prevent lead poisoning, including washing children's hands before they eat or sleep; washing their toys often; discouraging them from walking around with food and taking their shoes off at the door to prevent tracking in lead dust.

Homeowners or landlords can arrange for an inspector to check a home for lead. Until the residence is inspected and deleaded, residents should use paper towels and a water sprayer to clean up dust in window sills and put furniture in front of cracking or peeling paint.

Farguheson said 32 local homes were deleaded last year.

For more information on childhood lead poisoning prevention activities on the North Shore, contact Farguheson at 978-354-2774.