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Committee hears lead prevention work; officials say housing remains leading source of childhood lead exposures
Summary
Officials told the committee that New Hampshire continues lead screening and remediation work focused on children; data shows elevated blood lead cases rose as screening returned post‑pandemic. Staff outlined nurse case management, inspections and remediation supports for renters and homeowners.
New Hampshire’s Division of Public Health Services briefed lawmakers on its lead poisoning prevention work, describing screening, nurse case management and remediation supports for families whose children have elevated blood lead levels.
Tilley said the division processed more than 28,000 blood lead results for adults and children and has nurse case managers who provide case follow‑up for children whose blood lead levels exceed action thresholds. The division works with the Department of Environmental Services on remediation funding and is using multiple funding streams — CDC funds, federal public health infrastructure grants and a preventative services block grant — to support surveillance, licensing and legal work tied to lead prevention and abatement for childcare settings.
Members noted that children on Medicaid are roughly twice as likely to have elevated lead levels. Tilley said increased detection between 2021 and 2023 likely reflects improved screening rates as well as heightened outreach; she also said the primary source in New Hampshire is lead paint and older housing stock, particularly where renovations create dust that young children ingest through hand‑to‑mouth behavior.
The division said it inspects rental properties and can issue orders for remediation; it also provides outreach and remediation support for homeowners. Members asked about the number of nursing staff and whether childhood elevated lead counts are trending down; Tilley said 2024 data had not been fully analyzed at the time of the briefing but noted the department is expanding screening and follow‑up work.
Ending: Legislators signaled interest in more trend data, the screening rate for target groups (for example, Medicaid‑enrolled children), and the budget items that support remediation and nurse case management.
