Report From the Desk of Your Health Advocate: Jakki Flanagan

Environmental Health News: Update on Lead

Exciting update on lead – the latest is the new report from the Lead Task Force, Get the Lead Out of Vermont. This report is the result of extensive research conducted over the past year by various subcommittees of the Task Force. VPIRG was a member of the subcommittee that examined lead in consumer products. The Task Force was convened by the Attorney General and the Commissioner on Health.

Based on the task force's research, Vermont will now lead the nation by setting a significantly lower level of lead in the body to be considered lead poisoning. The previous standard was 10µg/dL (known as 10 micrograms per decileter) the new standard is now 5 µg/dL. What this means is that more children in Vermont will be identified as having levels of lead in their blood that are too high, and thus they will be referred for services.

Currently, even low levels of lead poisoning are known to cause behavioral disorders, lowered IQ, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, speech delay and hearing impairment, while high levels can cause severe mental disabilities, convulsions, coma or even death. The information from this report could help thousands of children in Vermont.

Dr. Lanphear, a national expert and leader on research investigating the affects of neurotoxins on children’s health, with a special emphasis on lead, spoke at the press conference in which the new report was released. Afterwards he made a presentation to Senate and House committees, in which he highlighted the fact that children - and adults - are adversely affected by lead in the body at levels which are much lower than was previously considered serious.

Dr. Lanphear also said he was very excited about the actions Vermont is taking on lead and that this new report, in particular the consumer products section, was the most comprehensive in the country.

VPIRG is currently working on legislation to phase-out or ban lead in a variety of children’s and consumer products. Get involved in these efforts by taking action with us today!