New cribs for Ningdu...We sent out an appeal after our last newsletter to many China adoption lists due to a situation we were alerted to in Ningdu. Babies being adopted had very high lead levels. Many children coming home have a lead level around 25 from Ningdu. Environmental intervention should begin at levels of 10. Many potential sources for the lead have been explored and we strongly believe is a contributing factor are the wooden cribs. Wooden cribs in areas like these with high humidity soak up pollution from the air. Developing countries most common source of lead is the industrial pollution. In addition, we know that many of the older wooden cribs in orphanages are painted, frequently with lead based paint. When this was brought to our attention our crib fund did not have enough money to purchase the 40 new cribs needed for Ningdu. Thanks to everyone who responded, we have raised the money to purchase all 40 cribs. During the course of this fund-raiser we were contacted by many people with reports of their children having lead levels of 50 and higher. We have compiled a list of the orphanages where these children lives and will work to help in any way we can. If replacing cribs in these orphanages is part of what needs to be done, we will need additional funds.
(Originally posted, May 2005,
www.angelcovers.org and reprinted with permission)
