Public health practitioners from around the state have ratified Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy’s proposal to strengthen regulatory guidelines to protect children from health and developmental impacts associated with lead in the environment.

The Minnesota Public Health Association members voted June 18  at their annual conference to endorse the resolution drafted by MCEA Public Health Scientist Samuel Yamin, making it the official position of the 100-year-old organization.

The resolution call upon Minnesota’s state and local government agencies to toughen the regulatory exposure limit for lead from 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood to five micrograms. The resolution also provides guidance on basic steps to reduce risks for lead-exposed children under five years old.

Young children are highly susceptible to the brain and nervous system effects of lead. Children’s exposure to lead, which today comes mainly from paint in older homes, is assessed by testing for lead in their blood. These blood lead levels are then compared to benchmark concentrations to determine what steps are needed to protect a child’s health.

The federal blood lead limit of 10 micrograms per deciliter was established in 1991, because that was the lower range of harmful effects known at that time.  Two decades later, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that children’s intellect and development are significantly impaired at blood lead concentrations below 10 micrograms. In recent years several other studies have found that lead exposures under the existing limit are linked with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

During the 2009 Minnesota Legislative session, MCEA pushed hard for a bill that would have encouraged health and medical practitioners to take action when a child’s blood lead level exceeded five micrograms. The legislation cleared the health policy committees in both the House and Senate but its progress slowed toward the session’s end due to fiscal concerns. However, the bill will be held over for the 2010 session.

The Minnesota Public Health Association’s resolution is an important step in helping pass the bill when the Legislature returns in February and MCEA looks forward to increased partnerships with health professionals across various sectors.