Senators Hassan and Young Secure Lab Test Report Improvement That Helps Parents Reduce Children’s Exposure to Toxic Lead

WASHINGTON - Following a bipartisan push from U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Todd Young (R-IN), major lab testing companies are taking steps to help parents reduce their children's exposure to toxic lead. Young children who are exposed to lead can develop long-lasting cognitive impairments.

In November, Senators Hassan and Young wrote to Quest and Labcorp, the nation's two largest lab testing companies, urging the companies to clearly state when providing children's lead blood test results that there is no safe level of lead in a child's blood. Both companies are now implementing this change, helping parents act to reduce their children's toxic lead exposure when blood tests show elevated lead blood levels.

Prior to this change, elevated lead blood levels below a particular "reference value" were frequently categorized as "normal" when patients received their results. As a result, parents looking at these test results may not have understood that their children's even slightly elevated lead blood levels could cause long-lasting health problems.

"I commend Quest and Labcorp for working quickly to help parents better protect their children from toxic lead exposure,"said Senator Hassan. "Clearly stating on blood test results that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children will help ensure that parents can take action when lead exposure is putting their children at risk of life-long impairment."

"It's important that patients receive accurate and clear information from health care providers - especially when it comes to kids. I'm pleased that these providers quickly made adjustments to ensure that parents are more aware that any level of lead in their children's blood can have serious health consequences," said Senator Young.

"We welcome the efforts of Senators Hassan and Young to educate the public on the dangers of lead exposure, even at the lowest levels, and the critical role blood lab tests play in illuminating a path to good health," said Yuri Fesko, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Quest Diagnostics.

"We applaud Senators Hassan and Young for their leadership in raising awareness about the dangers of lead exposure. Labcorp is committed to providing parents with clear, actionable insights to make the most informed decisions about their children's health and wellbeing," said Brian Caveney, M.D., Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Labcorp

Senator Hassan has led efforts to help protect the health and safety of children and families. Earlier this year, Senator Hassan successfully led a bipartisan push to improve medication safety labeling for pregnant women.

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