Laurie McGinley, The Washington Post, May 17, 2017
EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
Federal officials are warning that some blood tests may have “significantly” underestimated lead levels, and they are urging the retesting of some children, as well as pregnant and breast-feeding women.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the tests in question were made by Magellan Diagnostics, a Massachusetts-based testing company whose products are used in laboratories and doctors' offices throughout the country. The problem may go as far back as 2014, the agency said. The warning applies only to tests in which blood samples are taken from a vein, not the more common, less invasive tests in which fingers or heels are pricked for a blood sample.
The FDA and the CDC recommended that children younger than 6 be rechecked if their Magellan venous tests showed lead levels of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter. The agencies also said women who are pregnant or nursing should get retested, while other adults worried about lead exposure should talk to their doctors about possible repeat tests.