Its not just Flint: Michigan lead levels up after long decline
After nearly two decades of decline, the percent of children ages 0 to 6 tested with elevated levels of lead in their blood rose in Michigan in 2016. Although the rise was slight, from 3.4 percent to 3.6 percent, health officials said they are concerned. Some of the biggest increases occurred in parts of Detroit and Grand Rapids. Children typically get lead from dust and residue tied to old homes that have lead paint in them. Lead was banned in house paint in 1978 and removed from gasoline in 1995.
For the first time since 1998, the rate of children affected by elevated levels of lead increased in Michigan in 2016, triggering alarm among public health officials and child advocates.
Though slight, the increase ‒ from 3.4 percent to 3.6 percent ‒ shows that the battle to reduce lead exposure remains important as a number of high-poverty areas in Grand Rapids, Jackson, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, as well as Detroit, saw marked increases in exposure, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
“The questions are ‘What’s happening? What’s going on here?’” said Dr. Eden Wells, Michigan’s chief medical officer.
Read more: http://www.bridgemi.com/children-families/its-not-just-flint-michigan-lead-levels-after-long-decline