The Minnesota Department of Health said the children, from four separate households, were exposed to lead dust that was brought home accidentally on the clothing and personal items of their family members. And they're concerned that other children of plant employees might have been exposed to "take-home lead dust" but have not been tested.
Minnesota health officials have recommended lead exposure testing for the children of workers at an Anoka ammunition plant. (Fox News)
"The series of cases indicates an ongoing exposure problem requiring additional prevention actions," the department said in a news release on Friday.
CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE LINKED TO LOWER ADULT IQ
Lead dust can accumulate on workers’ bodies, clothing, shoes and personal items. The first child was identified in November 2021, with more cases found in late 2022 and earlier this year.
Federal makes ammunition primarily for sporting firearms. State regulators cited the company for violations of workplace lead standards in late 2021 for issues not directly related to the first child. They ordered managers to improve changing rooms to reduce take-home dust. But the department said the company has yet to demonstrate that it has made sufficient changes to reduce the risk.