Childhood testing for lead poisoning dropped sharply at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, as many families decided to defer routine medical care, and clinics looked to limit in-person visits.
According to state data obtained by NBC News, lead testing in many states has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, leaving thousands of kids at risk of irreversible damage to their health more than two years later. All but one of the 15 states that released recent numbers reported fewer childhood lead tests performed last year compared to 2019, with more than 178,000 fewer kids tested in total.
According to preliminary data from the state health department, one of the sharpest declines was found in Michigan, which saw testing plummet by nearly a third since 2019. That means that nearly 47,000 fewer kids younger than six were tested last year in a state with a history of high lead exposure.
Many cases of lead exposure may go undetected
According to medical experts, many cases of lead exposure may be going undetected due to the drop in testing, as there are often few visible symptoms of poisoning. That means more kids will unknowingly be exposed to high levels of lead, which can cause permanent damage to the heart, kidneys, brain, and lifelong behavioral and cognitive problems.
Apart from that, children whose lead poisoning goes undetected are also missing an opportunity for early intervention, which can reduce some of the harmful effects through developmental therapy and dietary changes.
Dr. Jennifer McDonald, a consulting physician for the Michigan health department, said that there is no safe lead level, but children with lead exposure often don't look sick. McDonald added that if they know, they can intervene, but if they don't have a test, they don't know.
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Lead exposure highest among Black children
Adding to the concerns of public health experts is the extended time children have spent in lead-contaminated homes during the COVID pandemic, as exposure most frequently happens through ingesting paint chips, playing in contaminated soil, drinking water contaminated by lead pipes, or breathing in dust from lead paint. The COVID pandemic has slowed efforts to remove lead in homes that are often prompted by a test showing elevated toxin levels.
Many states with significant drops in testing, including South Carolina, Colorado, and Washington, attributed the decline to the ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic, as many families have remained reluctant to bring their kids in for routine checkups. Some states also attributed the low testing numbers to a national recall of lead test kits last year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead exposure in the United States tends to be highest among Black children and those living in areas of high poverty. Children younger than six are the most vulnerable, as their bodies are rapidly developing during that period, and they are more likely to put lead-contaminated objects in their mouths. Young children are also unable to get vaccinated against COVID at the moment.
