January 8 , 2008

Free Lead Screening For Toys And Household Products At Fix-It Fair

Portland Development Commission staff (PDC) will offer free lead screening of toys, jewelry, pottery and other small items Saturday, January 12th from 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The toy screening is being held in conjuction with a Fix-It Fair sponsored by the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development. The Fix-It Fair and the free lead screening will be held at Lent Elementary School located at 5105 SE 97th Avenue in Portland. There is a limit of five items per household to be screened.  The doors to the Fix-It Fair open to the public at 8:30 a.m.

The recent Consumer Product and Safety Commission’s recalls of toys containing lead-based paint is drawing renewed attention to the health risks posed by lead-based paint; but toys are not the only risk. Lead is found in a variety of products with the biggest source being lead-based paint in older homes.

“We find lead in toys, water, household items, soil, and most of all in our homes,” stated Sarah Gourde, Lead Grant Program Coordinator for the PDC. “The primary cause of lead poisoning in children is dust from lead-based paint and lead contaminated soil.  Everyone needs to be more aware of the risks of lead exposure and what they can do do to avoid its toxic effects.  We also want people to know that PDC offers a grant program to assist low-income homeowners with lead remediation.”

For more information on the Portland Regional Lead Hazard Control Program (PRLHCP) grants or lead screening, please call Sarah Gourde at 503-823-3235. PRLHCP grant applications are available online at www.pdc.us/leadhazard.  PRLHCP is a program administered by the Portland Development Commission with funding from the City of Portland and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In addition to the lead screening, the Fix-It Fair will feature exhibitors and free worshops on a variety of topics to help connect attendees to available resources.  PDC is a sponsor of the Fix-It Fairs and the next and final one is scheduled for Saturday, February  2, from 8:30 AM - 2 PM at Roosevelt High School, located at 6941 N Central St. 

For more information about the Fix-It Fairs please visit http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=ebijc, email fixitfair@ci.portland.or.us or call 503-823-7222.

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