Montgomery, W.Va. (AP) -- Residents can get advice on how to protect their families from lead and mercury health risks at free workshops planned this week in Fayette County.

The workshops will be held by Glenda Maddy, a researcher with the Southern Appalachian Labor School.

The school wants to raise public awareness ahead of the holiday shopping season about recent recalls of discounted children's toys because they contained lead products.

Maddy says lead and mercury pollution associated with abandoned mines and mining equipment also will be discussed.

Workshops will be held Monday in Mount Hope, Tuesday in Montgomery, and Wednesday in Ansted and Whipple.

For more information call 304-779-2772 or visit the web site www.sals.info.

(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)