Contact: Tom Capezzuto
(973) 972-7273
E-mail: capezzta@umdnj.edu

Media Advisory

June 14th Symposium Will Address Dangers of Lead Exposure

6/13/05—A symposium presenting new information about the dangers of lead exposure from sources ranging from paint to candy wrappers to costume jewelry will be held on Tuesday, June 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., Room B-610, Newark.

The event, co-sponsored by the medical school and Gateway Northwest Maternal and Child Health Network and with support from the Prudential Foundation, is entitled "Lead Exposure: Paint and Beyond."

In addition to discussing lead hazards in the home and community, the conference will feature a presentation by Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey of Jimm's Getting Better and a visit by Leadie Eddie, star of an interactive community education program.

"Although lead paint has not been used for at least three decades, some old tenements have not been repainted for more than 35 years, resulting in potentially hazardous health conditions in young children exposed to peeling paint," said Dr. William Halperin, chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and one of the conference speakers.