We all know that exposure to lead can cause a variety of health problems. The threat of exposure to this heavy metal is more common than you may realize.

Once hailed as the father of all metals, lead has fallen out of favor because of its dangerous properties. But remnants of lead remain. Are you and your family at risk? We'll examine a few places where lead may be hiding in your home or community, and help you to protect yourself.

Beer and...well, just Beer:

Beer: Was it the Labrador on the label that made Val reach for a bottle of Pale Ale from Laughing Dog Brewing? Or was it the chance to drink another beer from Idaho? Either way, we're glad she got her paws on it. This very tasty brew gave us something to cry in when we realized we had no chocolate. Again. Stop the madness.

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Things! Lead-free and lovable XEKO Pals are perfect presents for the teenie weenie greenies in your life. The soy-stuffed critters are designed as companions to the XEKO trading cards, but Val's Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur has a place of honor on her desk.
• Dressed to the ca-nines. Keep your rottweiler roasty and your terrier toasty with the Hound Hoodie. This eco-friendly dog coat is custom fit for Fido and features a removable pom-pom on the hood, so you can humiliate him at will.

• Great Eggspectations. California voters approve Proposition 2, which improves living conditions for hens and other factory farm animals. Look for the initiative in other states soon.
• We mold you so. Rainforests to the rescue again, as scientists discover a fungus that makes diesel compounds from cellulose.
• Greeniuses. A British study finds that the smarter your kids are, the more likely they are to vote pro-environment as adults.

Sock it to 'em! Tired of that tangle of cords leading into your power strip? Cut the toe end off a trouser sock and run a bundle of cords right through it. Just make sure no one's wearing it first!

Once hailed as the father of all metals, lead has fallen out of favor because of its dangerous properties. But remnants of lead remain. Are you and your family at risk? We'll examine a few places where lead may be hiding in your home or community, and help you to protect yourself.

• Metal Ages. Reading the history of lead, you'll find humans have been mad about it since the dawn of recorded time.
• Metal health. The effects of lead poisoning can be reversed in adults, but are much more dangerous for kids.
• Mislead. Hidden risks for exposure can be found in your home, your garden...even your own body!
• Get the lead out. Use a home lead test kit to detect it on any surface within seconds. Check your tap water as well.

• Stella McCartney gets a spot in Dad's trophy case. She won the first ever award for Green Designer of the Year from the Accessories Council. Stella launched her leather- and fur-free line in 2006.
• Tom Green cashes in on his last name by hosting a new game show for Planet Green. "Go for the Green" tests your Eco-Q every Saturday night at 8.

Listener E-mails

• Patrick in NC thinks Val should consider the VW Jetta TDI wagon for her next car. It gets 45 mpg on the highway, and could run on biodiesel. But does it have cupholders?
• Melissa in Minnesota is thrilled that her state voted to raise taxes in order to clean up and preserve the great outdoors. Uffta!
• Eileen in Dominica sent an article about the world's most unusual chocolate entrepreneurs.

Hello, is anybody out there? Send an e-mail to hip@greenfeet.com. And remember to post articles, links and congrats to President-elect Obama at our MHTH forum!

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