California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Free Lead Tests for Children Offered

Young children living in public housing will be offered free medical screening for lead poisoning under a new city plan. The city’s older homes, from low-income projects to costly Victorians, could be danger spots, city officials warned in announcing the testing plan. City Health Director Raymond Baxter said he would urge parents of children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years to have their youngsters tested. “The risk is not only in low-income housing. The risk is as great to upper-income families renovating an old Victorian,” he said. The plan also calls for the inspection of public housing units to determine if health risks exist because of lead-based paint or other factors.