Below is a testimony given on March 26 in favor of LD 1116, “An Act To Strengthen the Lead Poisoning Control Act,” sponsored by state Sen. Nate Libby (D-Lewiston), which requires that all Maine children be tested for unsafe exposure to lead at one and two years of age. The bill sets a state’s goal to eradicate childhood lead poisoning for 2030 and requires that a progress report be submitted to the Legislature in 2025.
For the first few years of my life I lived in Massachusetts, where they had universal lead testing, and so at age one I was tested for lead poisoning. The results showed high levels of lead in my blood, however it was caught early enough that we were able to avoid the damage.
We found the source of the lead, and because of that I was spared very severe changes to my brain that would have slowed down my learning significantly. I am so grateful to say I am now an honor roll student at Portland High School and it is all thanks to that law.
That second chance at a good life I was given, sadly most kids do not get because we are not cautious enough. I want every child in Maine to get the same privilege I was given.
This bill will provide thousands of kids across Maine with the advantage and prevent unnecessary and irreversible damage.
(Photo: Meredith Nutting | Creative Commons via flickr)
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