The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its definition for lead poisoning in children, which will lead to an increase in the number of U.S. children found to have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood.
Lead poisoning can damage a child’s brain, stunt growth, and cause developmental problems, and a study from 2020 found that a third of the world’s children have lead poisoning.
The study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and UNICEF also estimated that 1.23 million children in the U.S. have high blood-lead levels.
However, due to the change in the definition from the CDC, the numbers will rise even further. The old definition defined lead poisoning in children as 5 micrograms per deciliter of blood, but now it has lowered to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter.
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A committee of experts in child health, toxicology, and related areas have recommended the change, the Washington Post reported. Their recommendation was made to the Health and Human Services Department.
The Associated Press reported that the new criteria is expected to double the number of children with lead poisoning.
JAMA Pediatrics released a study that found more than 500,000 children tested nationwide had detectable blood-lead levels, something that is preventable.
Lead poisoning can be avoided by reducing exposure to lead-based paints, contaminated soil, and certain foods, medicines, and cosmetic products, often imported from other countries.
