The Missouri Coalition for the Environment strongly supports the goal of testing this state's children for lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is a serious problem throughout the entire state. Even this number may be too low, however, because less than five percent of the children in most of these counties have been tested.
Lead poisoning has irreversible effects on the mental development of children.
Once the damage is done, a child will be impacted for the rest of his or her life. Beyond individual impairment and suffering there are costly implications for society as a whole. Persons whose mental capacity is limited by lead poisoning require more expensive education assistance, may need government funded medical treatment, and are prevented from contributing their full potential to the state's economy. Experience in other states has shown that testing laws do make a difference in children's health. Eight other states have mandatory testing laws and another twenty states require that their health departments address the issue in regulations.