With the Flint water crisis ongoing, and thousands of children in the city being exposed to the harmful effects of lead, it may surprise you to know that children in our area also suffer from lead exposure. According to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, in 2013, 6.9% of children checked in Port Huron under the age of six had elevated blood lead levels. However, only 32% of children in the city were tested. Rebecca Campau, who was the lead Education Public Health Nurse for the St. Clair County Health Department, says that’s not enough to accurately tell how many children are being exposed to lead. She says lead can be found in most communities but is most commonly connected to older homes from lead in paint. Various studies have been done showing higher concentrations of lead in tested children including in Port Huron, and in water levels, including in Marysville. Campau notes there’s not enough testing done to get an accurate reading of how many kids are being exposed to lead in our area. The test for lead is simple, quick and can performed at your child’s pediatrician’s office, or at the St. Clair County Health Department. Kits are available for testing at the health department for lead in your home or for those individuals who think they might be a victim of lead poisoning. An updated web site at the St. Clair County Health Department details information about lead contamination at scchealth.co.
