The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, essential for aiding state and local health departments in blood lead testing and surveillance, is not operational. Despite Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s assertions that the program is still funded, all 26 staff members were placed on administrative leave in April, with their terminations scheduled for June 2. Erik Svendsen, director of the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, stated that their entire division was dissolved, complicating the replacement of specialized staff.
Critics, including Democratic senators, have condemned the program’s dismantling, emphasizing its importance in preventing developmental delays and health issues linked to lead exposure. The program previously addressed a nationwide lead poisoning outbreak related to cinnamon applesauce and was actively working with Milwaukee Health Department after detecting dangerous lead levels in several public schools. However, Kennedy’s claim of ongoing federal support for Milwaukee was disputed by local officials, who noted that the limited assistance received was unrelated to the lead crisis and was instead for separate lab needs.
As Milwaukee grapples with serious lead contamination, including the closure of schools due to unsafe lead levels, the CDC’s refusal to send aid is unprecedented. The Milwaukee Health Department pointed out that without the CDC’s help, it may struggle to screen the estimated 44,000 at-risk students effectively. With only 350 screened so far, there are significant concerns over the capacity to manage lead exposure cases moving forward. Health officials have expressed hope to hire terminated CDC employees temporarily to assist in addressing this urgent public health crisis, highlighting the critical need for reinstating the program’s staff.
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