FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alana Aronin, 482-5807
Friday, Oct. 20, 2000 Dave Dempsey, 487-9539

GROUPS CALL FOR STRONG STATE RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD LEAD IN MICHIGAN CHILDREN

The Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health (MCMCH) and the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) today said Michigan policymakers should attack the widespread lead poisoning of children during next year's session. The two groups and other children's advocates will recognize National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week beginning Sunday, Oct. 22.
Despite reductions in lead pollution caused by the phase out of lead in gasoline by the U.S. EPA, an estimated 40,000 Michigan children have elevated blood lead levels, but most go undetected because of inadequate screening, the two organizations said.

Only 16% of children receiving Medicaid services were screened for lead in Michigan last year, despite a federal requirement that all such children be screened. 

"Lead poisoning interferes with the development of young children," said Alana Aronin, Director of Policy and Advocacy for MCMCH. "It can cause severe neurological problems, lower IQ, and disrupt children's behavior. We must make every effort to detect blood lead at the earliest possible time." The state should hold health care providers who receive Medicaid funds accountable for assuring blood lead screening, Aronin said.
Even more important, said the two groups, Michigan must make a commitment to preventing lead poisoning of children by significantly increasing funds for abatement of lead contamination in housing, which is now the primary route of exposure. While the state has devoted $5 million of its own funds to lead abatement, that amount will address lead problems in only an estimated 1,000 homes. Hundreds of thousands of Michigan homes built before 1950, particularly in urban areas, contain lead-based paint. 
"The Legislature should create a Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund of at least $25 million a year to rid older homes of lead hazards," said Dave Dempsey, MEC policy advisor. "This will not only protect children, but help make older urban areas safer places for families to live."

Nationally, almost one million preschool age children have enough lead in their blood to harm them. "The costs in special education, school performance, and job readiness are staggering," said Paul Shaheen, Executive Director MCMCH. Despite efforts at education and prevention, Michigan children continue to be poisoned by lead from peeling lead-based paint, lead contaminated dust and other sources in their homes. Children of color and children from low-income families are five times more likely to be affected by lead poisoning. 

The Campaign for a Lead-Safe America is celebrating the second annual observation of National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (NCLPP) Week October 22-28.