The White Falcon - 26.03.1993, Blaðsíða 1

HITE
FALCO
Lead testing implemented
By J02 Colleen “Ghostwriter”Casper
In a letter to a friend dated July 1786, Ben-
jamin Franklin recalled a problem caused by
the bad effects of lead. Loss of the use of limbs
and stomach aches were mentioned.
Due to modem technology and increased
awareness, lead poisoning does not have to be
a health problem today.
The U.S. Naval Hospital, Keflavik, Iceland,
will start their own lead testing to help identify
the common disease in young children. The
program is part of a new Department of De-
fense (DoD) regulation for all military medical
facilities world-wide.
“The program was put into effect because of
a recent stateside poll. One out of every six
■dren tested had elevated levels of lead in
ir bodies,” said Daniel Langston, Base
ustrial Hygienist.
“But,” he continued, “no one in the three
years I have been stationed here has exceeded
the allowable level of lead.”
Possible effects from an increased level of
lead in children’s blood can influence the child’s
behavior, thinking process and school per-
formance, according to recent studies. Lead
poisoning can be transmitted through diges-
tion and inhalation. High risk categories are
children under the ages of seven, pregnant
women and maintenance workers.
Currently, the major source of child-lead
poisoning in the United States is from lead-
based paint. A program from Naval Facilities
Engineeering Command is being developed to
test buildings for this.
CDR Robert J. Miller, Executive Officer,
U.S. Naval Hospital, Keflavik, stated, “The
DoD requires blood lead testing on all children
determined to be at risk, and at least 20 percent
of all babies, who have well-baby checkups.
“We are taking the program a step further
and we will be testing 100 percent of the ba-
bies. Because we are a small command we will
be able to provide this service. Stateside cus-
tomers will not be afforded this luxury.”
The hospital is currently treating a few cases
of lead poisoning but in each instance the con-
tamination was acquired from a stateside area
said CDR Miller.
The hospital will implement their program
in April. If a child is found to have an unaccept-
able blood level a thorough investigation will
be done and treatment will be administered.
According to LTJG Robert D. Schroeder,
Environmental Officer, Naval Air Station,
Keflavik, “In past practices, lead has been a
major component of plumbing. Things such as
(continued on page 5)
Icelandic phrases of the week:
1. I need help.
Eg parf adstod (yed tharf adstoth)
2. There’s been an accident.
pad vard slys (thath varth slys)
Vol. 52 No. 12 March 26,1993
Serving the Iceland Defense Force Com-
COLA decreases
The Cost of Living Allowance
(COLA) for military members sta-
tioned in Iceland Went down by
8% on March 16.
The Per Diem and Travel Al-
lowance Committee in Wash-
ington, D. C., determined in their
latest study that the cost of living
in Iceland is now 18% higher
than it is in an average town in the
United States. Previously, it was
20% more expensive to live in
Iceland.
According to LTJG Mike E.
Moore, Navy Disbursing Officer,
the decrease in COLA will not af-
fect the spending power of Ameri-
cans stationed in Iceland because
of the weakening of the Icelandic
kronur against the American dol-
lar. Currently, the exchange rate
is approximately 64 kronur for
one dollar. Personnel will notice
the adjustment in their pay on the
April 1.
According to personnel at the
Disbursing Office, the COLA tra-
ditionally decreases in the winter
and increases in the summer.
White-out!
Last week's suprise weather dumped a
new blanket of snow on the base and
resulted in Travel Condition l being im-
plemented for the first time base-wide
since the start of winter. The Arctic low
produced winds from seven knots to 45
knots within three minutes, visibility was
reduced to zero and vehicular traffic came
to a halt. Some even chose alternate
routes, such as these two vehicles stranded
in front of the A.T. Mahan Elementary
School. "The combination of blinding
snow and careless drivers was instrumen-
tal in the cause of eight accidents last
week," said Thordur Karlsson, Traffic
Safety Manager, NAS Safety Office.
(Photo by J03 (SW) Andreas Walter.)