Health officials in Maryland now require all children who are one to two years old to test for lead poisoning.
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The state’s decision was largely spurned on by a change in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for lead levels in children, first announced in 2012. The state’s 2015 Target Plan now aims for universal testing to widen the scope of prevention.
All of this information is why the American Lung Association launched “National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week” to bring awareness to those dangers and prevent its serious health effects. “We thank Gov. Hogan and the State of Maryland for advancing this important step to protect Maryland’s kids”.
The testing is expected to be finished early in 2016, and by then, all children have had their blood checked twice.
According to the DHMH report, universal screening will allow Maryland health officials to root out previously undetected trouble spots of lead exposure, and it is estimated that the lifetime savings of reducing the blood lead levels of all children under the age of 2 will amount to $131-$512 million. The new rule has been made because risk for health problems continues for many youngsters. Under EPA’s Lead Renovation, fix and Painting (RRP) Rule, contractors, landlords, window replacement firms and other trades performing renovation, fix and painting projects that can disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, schools and other child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified and must follow Lead-Safe work practices.
As per the latest state figures, 355 children in Maryland suffered from lead poisoning in 2014.
“Given the many health and development problems that can occur in children exposed to lead, it is imperative that we build awareness and take the appropriate precautions”, says IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. The strategy will also be revised if need be in three years.
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Wooten said the only way to identify and confirm lead poisoning in children is through a blood test. Lead is a neurotoxin found in lead-based paint, lead-glazed porcelain, ceramic dishes and plumbing with lead solder.
