A new law in Michigan now mandates lead testing for all children under the age of 6. The legislation aims to identify and mitigate the significant risks associated with lead exposure, which can cause long-term developmental and health issues. Michigan has been grappling with a high number of lead poisoning cases, particularly in cities with older housing stock and infrastructure. The law requires healthcare providers to test young children at one and two years of age or anytime they visit a healthcare facility. The state will also establish protocols for managing future testing and treatment if a child tests positive for lead..
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation that requires 1- and 2-year-olds to be tested for lead poisoning.
The bipartisan bills call for physicians treating a minor who is 1 or 2 to test for lead exposure or to order such an exam. All 4-year-olds must be tested if they live in a part of the state that has an increased risk of lead poisoning.
The lead testing requirement for doctors goes into effect Jan. 1. The new law is not mandatory; parents can opt out of the testing if they object.
Whitmer said Michigan residents know the importance of safe drinking water and the long-lasting impact of lead exposure. In the past decade, there have been high levels of lead found in the drinking water supplies of Flint and Benton Harbor. Lead levels in the water for both Michigan cities have fallen below the state’s action level, officials have said.
“Keeping Michiganders safe and healthy is top priority, and today’s bipartisan bills will build on our efforts to protect children from lead poisoning,” the second-term Democratic governor said in a statement.
Whitmer said the state has worked to replace tens of thousands of lead service lines over the past five years. She said the replacements, along with the new law, would ensure the safety of children.
Universal lead screening will boost detection of lead poisoning in Michigan, said the Governor’s Office. No amount of lead in the blood is considered safe, making early diagnosis and intervention essential.
The state budget Whitmer signed this year invested nearly $600 million to protect drinking water, helping communities replace lead service lines and rebuild sewers, the governor’s office said.
While lead in drinking water is concerning, lead can also come from other sources. Exposure to lead-based paint chips and dust, as well as soil with higher levels of lead, are most often to blame when it comes to having elevated levels of lead in the body.
State Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint, who sponsored one of the lead testing bills, said it’s critical to fight against lead poisoning on several fronts, including during regular health checks.
“Lead poisoning poses a serious health risk to kids not only in Flint, but across Michigan,” Cherry said.
Cherry said the new law would help parents quickly learn whether their children were exposed to lead. And parents wouldn’t be hamstrung by a lack of insurance coverage, he said.
State Rep. Helena Scott, who sponsored another lead testing bill, said a child’s immunization certificate would be updated to include a space showing whether they had been tested for lead exposure.
The requirement goes into effect on Jan. 1.
“The signing of this bill is a tangible commitment to regularly screen children for lead exposure at varied intervals in partnership and under the auspices of the (Michigan) Department of Health and Human Services,” she said.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has signed legislation that mandates lead testing for 1- and 2-year-olds. The bipartisan bills also require testing for 4-year-olds living in areas with a high risk of lead poisoning. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and is not mandatory as parents can opt out. Whitmer stated that the new law will help protect children from lead poisoning and ensure their safety. The state has already invested $600 million to protect drinking water and replace lead service lines. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial, as no amount of lead in the blood is considered safe.
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