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Universal lead poisoning tests for children?

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The Senate Health and Human Services Committee has voted in favor of a bill that would require lead poisoning tests for all children under age two in New Hampshire. 

Parents would be allowed to opt their children out of testing.  The bill would require insurance companies to cover blood lead testing.

The bill, SB 247, includes several other measures aimed at reducing childhood lead poisoning in New Hampshire.  For example, the bill requires all schools and child care agencies to test for lead in drinking water.  The bill also appropriates $6 million over the next two years to help landlords remove lead from properties built prior to 1978. 

The Senate committee amended the bill to remove some lead remediation requirements for property owners that landlords said were too burdensome. 

 Supporters of universal blood lead testing argue that there is no safe level of lead exposure in children, which can cause brain, kidney, and nerve damage.  New Hampshire has some of the oldest housing in the country, which places children at heightened risk of lead exposure.  Universal testing not only helps catch lead poisoning before it becomes serious; it also helps the state identify patterns in lead poisoning and target lead remediation efforts to the locations that need it most.

Opponents of universal blood testing note that the number of children testing positive for lead poisoning in New Hampshire has dropped by roughly 80% over the past twenty years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.  They argue that testing should focus only on children living in older homes and children who are showing symptoms of poisoning.  Few states require universal blood lead testing. 

Do you think there should be universal lead testing for children under two years old? Join the discussion on Facebook or comment below. Comments will be included in a summary of this discussion and presented to legislators considering this bill. Only comments from NH residents will be counted, so please indicate if you are from NH in your response.

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