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MDH will no longer include U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls on this site. To receive information on CPSC recalls, please sign-up with the CPSC's On-Line Subscription Lists service. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also set up a CDC Lead Recalls Web page that is organized by category (toys, crafts, clothing, etc.)

On this page:

MDH surveys RRP contractor compliance - February 2013
CDC and EPA declare October 21-27 National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week - October 2012
MDH announces Healthy Homes Strategic Planning - February 2012
MDH announces Healthy Homes Grant Awards - February 2012
MDH announces Asbestos/Lead Annual Conferences - January 2012
CSPC - Toys Safer This Holiday Season Due to Stronger Safety Rules - November 2011
MDH addresses EPA RRP paint chip sampling - October 2011
Request for Proposals (RFP) for Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant - September 2011
Request for Proposals (RFP) for Swab Team Services Grant - August 2011
New MDH Lead Guidelines are out! - March 2011
Join MDH for Lead Week Celebration! - October 2010
October 2010 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Month - August 2010
Review of MDH Lead Guidelines - June 2010
Lead and Arsenic found in Calabash Chalk - May 2010
EPA RRP regulations begin April 22, 2010 - April 2010
EPA begins RRP outreach campaign - March 2010
MDH proposing changes to Lead Poisoning Prevention Rules - November 2009
Got Training? EPA RRP requirements take effect April 2010 - October 2009
CPSC to Enforce New CPSIA Requirements for Children’s Products Effective August 14 - August 13, 2009
CPSC spells out enforcement policy for new lead limits in children's products effective February 10 - February 6, 2009
CPSC grants one year stay of testing and certification requirements for certain products - January 30, 2009

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MDH surveys RRP contractor compliance

The Minnesota Department of Health recently conducted a statewide survey of renovation contractors to determine compliance with the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. An executive summary of this survey and other documents used in this survey can be found on the links below.

CDC and EPA declare October 21-27 National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have declared October 21-27, 2012, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Visit their websites and ours to see how you can protect your family from lead poisoning.

MDH announces Healthy Homes Strategic Planning

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has received support from the Centers for Disease Control to develop a Healthy Homes Strategic Plan for Minnesota. We need your help in creating a common vision for healthy homes and communities in Minnesota and to develop a plan about how make sure health begins where all Minnesotans live, work and play.

MDH announces Healthy Homes Grant Awards

The Minnesota Department of Health has awarded grants totaling $250,000 to seven local health agencies to develop and implement programs that address health hazards frequently found in homes; hazards such as lead, radon and other indoor air pollutants, including tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide, fire safety risks and others.

MDH announces Asbestos/Lead Annual Conferences

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is holding its first Asbestos/Lead Annual Conferences in 2012. MDH welcomes all MDH credentialed asbestos and lead contractors and consultants, training providers, and any other interested parties to attend the conferences. All meetings will be held at MDH's Snelling Office Park at 1645 Energy Park Drive in St. Paul, MN.

CSPC - Toys Safer This Holiday Season Due to Stronger Safety Rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants consumers to know that while safety should be at the top of everyone's toy list, stronger federal rules are making a positive impact and restoring confidence in the safety of toys. New toy safeguards include: establishing the lowest lead content and lead paint limits in the world; setting a stringent limit on the use of certain phthalates; converting the voluntary toy standards into mandatory standards; requiring third party testing and certification of toys designed or intended primarily for children 12 and younger; closing in on new limits for cadmium in toys; and working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to track shipments in transit from other countries, thereby increasing seizure of dangerous imported toys.

MDH addresses EPA RRP paint chip sampling

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently authorized EPA-certified Renovators to collect paint chip samples in order to identify lead painted surfaces with the following exemption. Federal Register/Vol. 76, No. 151/Friday, August 5, 2011/Rules and Regulations, page 47,924 states in part, "in those states that do not permit persons other than certified inspectors or risk assessors to sample or test for lead-based paint, certified renovators will not be able to exercise this option."

In Minnesota, paint chip sampling may only be performed by a licensed lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor. EPA-certified Renovators who are not MDH licensed lead inspectors or risk assessors may not use paint chip sampling to identify lead painted surfaces. If you have questions regarding this, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health Asbestos and Lead Compliance Program online or by phone at (651) 201-4620.

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Request for Proposals (RFP) for Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention (HHLPP) Grants described in the recently released RFP provide funding to:

  • Complete a strategic planning and needs assessment process,
  • Pilot home assessments and education methods,
  • Gather additional data on high-risk housing, and
  • Provides training

The total amount available under this RFP for 9/1/2011 – 8/30/2012 is $250,000 to be distributed as three awards of $50,000 each and four awards of $25,000 each. Eligible applicants will be local boards of health. This funding is separate from the state-supported Swab grants being offered to non-profit organizations.

As MDH receives additional annual funding from CDC in later years, each grantee may submit a non-competitive continuation application for additional funds for the final two years of the three year project period.

The RFP (PDF: 245KB/20 pages) for the HHLPP Grant is now available. Applications must contain a Project Narrative and Work Plan (PDF: 92KB/2 pages) and Budget Summary (PDF: 59KB/1 pages).

Completed grant applications MUST arrive at MDH on or before 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

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Request for Proposals (RFP) for Swab Team Services Grant

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) healthy homes and lead poisoning prevention program is authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 144.9512 to provide funding to:

  • increase the screening of children under six years and pregnant women to determine elevated blood lead levels (EBLL) in populations at high risk, for lead exposure,
  • plan, implement, and execute successful lead screening events in communities with high lead exposure,
  • provide education and outreach services when an EBLL is identified, and
  • provide swab team services to protect populations from identified lead hazards in their residences.

The total amount of the grant funding available in state fiscal year 2012 is $479,000 with an option to continue the grants for an additional $479,000 for a second year. Eligible applicants will be nonprofit organizations. Priority will be given to nonprofit organizations that provide AmeriCorps funding or positions, or leverage matching funds, as part of the delivery of the services.

The RFP (PDF:78KB/5 pages) for the Swab Team Services Grant is now available. Applications must contain a Project Narrative and Work Plan (PDF: 90KB/2 pages) , Budget Summary (PDF: 60KB/1 page) , and Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (PDF: 30KB/1 page) .

Completed grant applications MUST arrive at MDH on or before 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2011.

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New MDH Lead Guidelines are out!

MDH has officially published the new lead poisoning prevention guidelines. The new guidelines cover clinical screening of children, clinical treatment of children with blood lead poisoning and their medical case management.

Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Minnesota (PDF: 80KB/2 pages)

Childhood Blood Lead Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota (PDF: 89KB/2 pages)

Childhood Blood Lead Case Management Guidelines for Minnesota (PDF: 151KB/2 pages)

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Join MDH for Lead Week Celebrations!

Join MDH and their partners this October in celebrating ten years of lead poisoning prevention!

Saint Paul/Ramsey County Lead Week Celebration will take place Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation, 533 North Dale Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Some of the attractions are the Teddy Bear Band, goodie bags and activities for the kids, and free dinner!

Minneapolis Lead Week Celebration will take place Wednesday, October 6, 2010 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Harrison Community Center, 503 Irving Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some of the attractions are live music, games, door prizes and raffle, and free dinner! Call 612-673-3207 for more information.

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October 2010 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Month

Childhood lead poisoning is considered one of the most preventable environmental diseases among young children and yet an estimated 250,000 children in the U.S. have elevated blood lead levels every year. In Minnesota, approximately 1.2 million homes throughout the state contain lead paint.

October is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Month and this year we'd like to make it BIG by celebrating the accomplishments made over the years, raising awareness about lead poisoning and prevention methods, and stressing the importance of screening children and pregnant women who are at risk.

We hope that you will join us in this effort by engaging your community on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes concepts.

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Review of MDH Lead Guidelines

A recently passed statute directs the MDH Lead Program to review and revise the Childhood Blood Lead Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota (Clinical guidelines) and the Childhood Blood Lead Case Management Guidelines for Minnesota (CM guidelines).

In response to this legislative directive MDH will schedule a series of meetings in 2010 to bring together experts in the field to review the current Clinical and CM guidelines. Experts will include physicians, local public health officials, non-profit organizations, and MDH staff. Available literature and best practices will be summarized and reviewed by the group. Consensus recommendations from the experts will be incorporated in to the appropriate MDH guidelines.

The MDH Lead guidelines are intended to be a compilation of best practices and recommendations for preventing and mitigating negative health effects from exposure to lead. They are not regulatory standards and do not have enforcement authority.

The Clinical guidelines were originally released in 2001 and were revised by a panel of physicians in 2006 to include additional recommended actions for blood lead test results below 10 ug/dL. The CM guidelines were originally released in 2001 and reviewed by a panel of public health nurses and lead hazard reduction professionals in 2006 to update recommendations on medical case management. All MDH lead guidelines, annual reports, and strategic plans can be found in the “Publications and Reports” section of this webpage (see left sidebar).

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Lead and Arsenic found in Calabash Chalk

Calabash Chalk is used to treat morning sickness in pregnant females in West African communities. Following reports from the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) identified the product in several New York City stores. Laboratory test results identified elevated levels of lead and arsenic in these products. Based on the laboratory results, NYCDOHMH has issued a health advisory for this morning sickness remedy (PDF: 154KB/ 3 pages).

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EPA RRP regulations begin April 22, 2010

EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule is in effect today! Anyone who disturbs more than 6 square feet of lead-based paint in a pre-1978 residence where a child under 6 years of age or a pregnant female lives must be EPA lead-safe certified. Any complaints regarding compliance with this new regulation should be directed to the EPA at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

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EPA begins RRP Outreach Campaign

EPA is placing ads in various publications and venues to get the word out to contractorsand those who influence them about the new Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule requirement that contractors must be lead-safe certified by April 22, 2010. The EPA's Lead-Safe Certification Program has Trade Press Downloadable Materials available for free.

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MDH proposing changes to Lead Poisoning Prevention Rules

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is proposing changes to the Minnesota Lead Poisoning Prevention Rules. MDH is requesting comments on its possible amendment to rules governing lead poisoning and prevention.MDH is considering rule amendments that will incorporate the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pre-Renovation Education (PRE) regulation, and Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) regulation into the department’s existing Lead Poisoning Prevention Rules. MDH is also looking at additional amendments to allow it to develop a web-based program that allows electronic submission of lead applications and notices. MDH will also amend existing language to conform to these new provisions.

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Got Training? EPA RRP requirements take effect April 2010

Starting in April 2010, the US Environmental Protection Agency's Rehabilitation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule takes effect. This rule requires contractors be certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Contact the training providers on the the MDH Pre-Renovation Education (PRE) and Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) website to make sure you're fully compliant when the new Federal regulation takes effect in the spring!

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CPSC to Enforce New CPSIA Requirements for Children’s Products Effective August 14

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will beging enforcing the new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) on August 14, 2009. This new regulation is aimed at making children’s products safer and increasing consumer confidence in the marketplace. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is educating domestic and overseas manufacturers, importers, and distributors of children’s products and other consumer goods of these important new safety requirements, including lead content and lead in surface coatings.

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CPSC spells out enforcement policy for new lead limits in children's products effective February 10

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) spells out it's enforcement policy for new lead limits in children’s products. Starting on February 10, 2009, consumer products intended for children 12 and under cannot have more than 600 parts per million of lead in any accessible part. In an effort to provide clear and reasonable guidance to those impacted by this important law, the CSPC is announcing its enforcement policy on the lead limits established by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

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CPSC grants one year stay of testing and certification requirements for certain products

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a one year stay of testing and certification requirments for certain products for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. The stay provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things.

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Updated Monday, 29-Apr-2013 08:12:28 CDT