Recognizing there is no safe exposure of lead to a developing brain, the state Department of Health announced it will intervene sooner when a child’s blood tests show elevated levels of the dangerous compound.
State law requires doctors to screen children for lead and refer those with elevated levels for a home remediation and nursing supervision. But instead of intervening when a test reveals a blood lead reference value 5 micrograms per deciliter, the health department proposed a rule change Monday that would reduce the level to 3.5 micrograms.
