Lead tests all come back okay

Test results for lead poisoning on 84 area children, including 4-year-old Emilie and 9-year-old Katelynne Ratliff, pictured with their mother Robin, have just been released. No one tested at an unsafe level of 10 or above. The free screenings, sponsored by Wayne Memorial Hospital and The Wayne Independent, followed massive toy recalls by Mattel, Inc. and its subsidiary Fisher Price, because of toxic lead paint on the toys’ surfaces. “I doubted my children had lead poisoning,” said Ratliff, “but it never hurts to know for sure.” Other cosponsors included Pediatric Practices, the Wayne County Family Center, Wayne County Children’s Coalition, Wayne County MHMR, Dave’s Super Duper, Pike County Medical Center, Safe Kids Coalition of Pike County and the Pa. Department of Health (Wayne and Pike counties). For more information about screenings, contact the Pinnacle Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 800-374-7114. (Contributed photo)