LANSING, MI (AP)-- One Michigan lawmaker wants young children in the state to be screened for lead poisoning.
Democratic Representative Thomas Stallworth of Detroit introduced a bill Wednesday that would require primary health care professionals to screen all 1- to 2-year-old patients for lead poisoning. If a child meets certain criteria, he or she would also be given a blood lead diagnostic test.
Parents who object because of religious beliefs can opt out of the screening.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says lead-based paint and dust that has been contaminated with lead are the primary sources of lead poisoning among children. It says children are particularly susceptible to poisoning because they are more likely to touch objects contaminated with lead and then put their hands in their mouths.
