Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills into law Tuesday that require lead testing for young children to be a part of routine doctor visits.
Previously, only children on Medicaid underwent regular lead testing, but now all children age one and two can be screened for lead poisoning at no cost. Testing results will also be shared with health departments and documented on children's vaccine records.
Advocates discussed the law and efforts to end lead poisoning at a Michigan Environmental Council event last Friday.
Ellen Vial is a member of the Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Homes (MIALSH). She said universal testing was a policy priority of MIALSH, and the group hopes it can help identify and phase out sources of lead contamination.
Vial said childhood lead exposure can come from a myriad of places, including water lines, paint in historic houses or antique objects.
"People think about something when there's an emergency or crisis, but they don't think about how it could impact their families or their communities on a day-to-day basis," Vial said.
Stephanie McKendry is with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan. She said lead poisoning can result in permanent or chronic health conditions, but testing can aid in reducing childhood exposure.
"We're so excited to see this change happen, it's much needed," McKendry said. "And I think we've talked a lot about in our community, we're so reactive, right? So, how can we move to be more proactive?"
In a statement, Whitmer said the new law joins the state's lead service line replacement program in helping protect Michigan children from lead poisoning.
For the full discussion on lead testing, visit the Michigan Environmental Council YouTube channel.
Teresa is reporting for WCMU through the Report for America program.
