The change would update 2012 reference levels of 5 micrograms per deciliter of blood lead to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, six people who were “briefed by the agency” told Reuters. The change is intended to help ensure children with dangerous levels of lead exposure receive treatment and a public health response is implemented.
Some experts voiced concern, however, that lowering the threshold could divert resources from children with the highest levels of lead, according to the report.
Ultimately, the decision rests in the hands of local governments. States decide their own regulations based on CDC recommendations, but some have not yet implemented changes based on the last recommended threshold, when the CDC lowered it from 10 to 5 micrograms per deciliter, according to the report.
The CDC will discuss the potential change in January, according to the report. Read the full story here.
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