By: Bill O’Boyle – Wilkes-Barre Times Leader
Published: October 30th, 2017 9:07 pm
PITTSTON — Lynn Biga, executive director of the Luzerne County Head Start program, said in the 2016-17 school year, 11 children tested positive for lead in their blood.
So it was with keen interest that Biga attended Monday’s public hearing on lead exposure and mitigation at the Pittston Memorial Library’s John P. Cosgrove Center.
State Sen. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, hosted the hearing of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
The hearing was held to gain a regional perspective from Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is chaired by Republican Sen. Gene Yaw and Yudichak.
Those testifying included Lisa Daniels, acting deputy secretary for water programs, Department of Environmental Protection; Dr. Loren Robinson, deputy secretary for health promotion and disease prevention, Department of Health; Jennifer Berrier, director, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety; Michael Lombardo, vice chair, Pittston Redevelopment Authority; Henry Radulski, health director for the City of Wilkes-Barre; Cherie Gudz, vice president, Environment, Health and Safety, SGS; and David Kaufman, vice president, engineering, Pennsylvania American Water.
Biga said the 11 children that tested positive for lead were referred for further testing. She said children can be exposed to lead contained in paint, old piping, or it can be ingested.
“Any level of lead in a child’s blood is cause for concern,” Biga said.
To read more, go to http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/680755/senate-hearing-focuses-on-concern-for-lead-exposure.
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