Is Lead in that Toy? Westfield May Buy Handheld Testing Device to Safeguard Kids

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Town of Westfield may soon purchase its own handheld lead testing device for use by the health department after a first reading of the ordinance was approved at last week’s town council meeting.

The X-Ray Fluorescent device (XRF) would be purchased for $30,525 to assist with the Child Lead Prevention Program administered by the Westfield Regional Health Department for the eight towns it serves: Westfield, New Providence, Madison, Chatham Borough, Fanwood, Garwood, Mountainside and Roselle Park.

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The device would not be used for home inspections performed by the fire department, according to Town Administrator Jim Gildea

“This is actually separate from the lead program that the fire department is doing. That’s a lead testing in homes and businesses,” Gildea said.

Health Department Director Megan Avollone told TAPinto that the type of XRF device that the department hopes to get is one that can test a wide range of materials, including paint, soil and consumer goods such as toys.

“We hope to take the machine, when purchased, to community events where residents can have items tested for lead, such as toys or plates, etc.,” she said.

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Gildea noted that the health department is currently using a borrowed XRF device.

Lead paint exposure to children can be devastating, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

“Just 10 micrograms of lead per day (the equivalent of 3 grains of sugar) can place a child in danger. Irreversible learning disabilities as well as lowered intelligence are the usual result,” the New Jersey Department of Health website says.

An XRF machine is commonly used as a detection mechanism, according to the New Jersey Department of Health website.

“This method involves expensive instrumentation which exposes a radioactive source to a surface to determine the percentage of lead,” it says. “Results are immediately available and usually accurate depending on the training of the operator. It is expensive and may encounter some difficulties when sampling irregular surfaces or different subsurface materials such as brick or metal and may require laboratory verification.”

Council members Michael Armento, Michael Dardia, Linda Habgood, Todd Saunders, David Contract, Michal Domogala and Mayor Shelley Brindle voted to approve the purchase on first reading. Councilman David Kiefer was not present.

The purchase now goes into a period of public comment and is expected to be up for final approval at the Oct. 8 meeting of the town council.

Additional reporting by Emma Thumann.

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