CDC Looking To Lower The Threshold For Lead Exposure
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking to lower its threshold for lead found in childhood blood levels by about 30 percent. For some time now the CDC has been operating with a blood threshold of 5 micrograms per deciliter for children who are under the age of 6 years old. Anyone who would be found to test above that level, would prompt a public health response. But the CDC will be adjusting their threshold, lowering the level to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter.
The changes come thanks to new data based on a national health survey and the move will be further discussed at an upcoming CDC meeting that is expected to take place in Atlanta at the beginning of next year.
Lead has no purpose or biological function in the body, according to scientists who study lead data, and therefore the less of it that is introduced into the body then the better it is going to be for the body/individual. There are a number of illnesses associated with exposure to lead, such as cognitive impairment and other issues.
Over the last few decades, it's been found that childhood blood lead levels have fallen roughly 90 percent and the average that is found is now about 1 microgram per deciliter. The decline has been attributed to a decrease in the use of lead for gasoline and paint products.
The agency is in discussion with lab operators, medical device makers, health officials, and others, in an effort to try and determine how to implement the new changes to the threshold.
Pics:
pixabay
childtrends
Sources:
http://in.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lead-cdc-idINKBN14J160
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/exclusive-cdc-considers-lowering-threshold-level-for-lead-exposure/?WT.mc_id=SA_TW_HLTH_NEWS
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lead-guide-idUSKBN14J16G
That picture isn't the CDC. It's the Cobb Performing Arts Centre and was used as the CDC headquarters in the first season of the walking dead.
haha cool! i wouldn't have picked up on that, haven't seen that show yet.. can u believe it? i must be one of the very few left lol
Will these new rules be a net gain? I know lead is a dangerous element for the nervous system, but so is mercury. And present levels in dental amalgams and fish are perfectly tolerable for humans.
"Studies Show Any Lead in Your Body May be Unsafe"
http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/09/28/why-lead-poisoning-may-be-causing-your-health-problems/
Will this decreased be "worth it"? When the asbestos paranoia struck the country, it was completely removed - even tough alternative insulation wasn't as efficient - for over $12 billion in order to save... 10 lives