Lead Poisoning in Oregon

Date Issued: April 24, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting health care providers and laboratory staff of reports that falsely elevated (false positive) results have occurred when using ASP Global’s RAM Scientific SAFE-T-FILL Micro Capillary Blood Collection tubes with the LeadCare Testing Systems. These tests may overestimate blood lead levels and give inaccurate results when processing capillary blood samples collected in these ASP Global’s RAM Scientific SAFE-T-FILL tubes.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/risk-false-positive-results-certain-capillary-blood-collection-tubes-used-magellan-diagnostics

Health officials are warning families to avoid dangerous products and get kids tested

Alarming levels of lead have been found in traditional cosmetics used in Hindu and Muslim religious practices and South and Southeast Asian cultures. High lead levels have also been found in the spice turmeric, particularly in smaller batches brought in from overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lead in Traditional Cosmetics and Turmeric

Infographics

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to retailers and distributors of cookware products to inform them that certain imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium, demonstrate the potential to leach lead into food and that this cookware should not be distributed or sold in the U.S. market.

Seattle & King County Public Health: Cookware that released lead above the FDA’s recommended daily intake levels

Lead poisoning prevention tips

Lead poisoning is a significant environmental health problem.

Laws and regulations are in place to protect people; however lead poisoning is still a risk for many Oregonians, especially children. The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program enforces state regulations, oversees professional training and certification, and responds to concerns about lead and its effect on public health.

Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 333-017 and 333-018 Amended Effective 10/26/2023

These amendments include a replacement of the term "lead poisoning" with "blood lead level at or above the blood lead reference value", and a reduction in the case definition from 5 ug/dL to 3.5 ug/dL.
This amendment aligns Oregon with the CDC's Blood Lead Reference Value.

Lead Poisoning and Exposure

Training and Certification

Laws and Regulations

Partners and Providers

Oregon Data

Memento Morbi: A Monthly Communicable Disease Summary Report (most current case data available)
Elevated childhood blood lead levels (pdf)
Elevated blood lead levels among adults (pdf)
CD Summary of Elevated Childhood Lead Levels in Oregon (pdf) - May 2019

News

Modifying HUD's Elevated Blood Lead Level Threshold for Children Under Age 6 Who Are Living in Certain HUD-Assisted Target Housing Covered by the Lead Safe Housing Rule: HUD Federal Register (1/17/2025)

This notice announces the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is modifying its elevated blood lead level (EBLL) threshold under its Lead Safe Housing Rule from to 5 to 3.5 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (µg/dL) for a child under the age of 6, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's current blood lead reference value of 3.5 µg/dL.

Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels: EPA Federal Register (11/12/2024)

EPA has finalized its proposal to lower the dust-lead hazard standards and post-abatement clearance levels, as well as changed the nomenclature for these levels. The final rule is effective January 13, 2025. The State of Oregon must still revise rules to make these changes effective. Check this site for updates on this process.
Materials from December 5, 2024 Webinar on the Final Rule to Strengthen Lead-Based Paint Dust Standards Presentation Slides from Webinar

Oregon State University Research on Lead-Sheathed Telephone Cables

A helpful resource for identifying these cables and ways to reduce possible lead exposure from underlying bare soil

Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 333-017 and 333-018 Amended Effective 10/26/2023

These amendments include a replacement of the term "lead poisoning" with "blood lead level at or above the blood lead reference value", and a reduction in the case definition from 5 ug/dL to 3.5 ug/dL.
This amendment aligns Oregon with the CDC's Blood Lead Reference Value.

Oregon Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Advisory Committee presentation (10/10/2023)

CLPPP 2023 Advisory Committee Slides (pdf)

High lead levels found in two tubes of Diep Bao cream used to treat eczema in babies

FDA: Shop Me Ca Recalls “Diep Bao Cream” Because of Possible Health Risk
FDA: SHOP ME CA THU HỒI “KEM DIỆP BẢO” VÌ CÓ THỂ NGUY CƠ CHO SỨC KHOẺ
Press release in English: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/345110c
Press release in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt): Word and PDF
Social card in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt): Word and PDF
FAQ in English: Word and PDF
FAQ in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt): PDF
Video of media availability in English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VI2tdS6NNU
Video of media availability in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaAY40Ze0Bs
Videos of Ryan Barker discussing investigation:

Video of Hai, mother of affected Multnomah County child:

With Vietnamese interpreter: https://youtu.be/Izy5JvtjEqw (adjust volume to hear interpreter's voice)
Without interpreter: https://youtu.be/ExhPIoSAw-Q

Multnomah County videos:

Images of Diep Bao cream: Image 1 (png) and Image 2 (png)
Videos and images also available on the OHA External Relations Division's Media Resources page

EPA Affirms Building Managers Responsible for Lead-Based Paint Safety Requirements When Performing Renovations

1/21/2022 Press Release announcing changes affecting property management companies that manage pre-1978 housing or properties and contract renovations that could disturb lead-based paint.

FDA Safety Warning and Recalls for LeadCare Analyzers

FBI's Boston Division Seeking Information in Magellan Diagnostics Investigation: The FBI’s Boston Division is seeking information about persons who may have been harmed by the delayed detection of lead poisoning or lead exposure due to a malfunction in blood lead testing devices (LeadCare) manufactured by Magellan Diagnostics, Inc. https://forms.fbi.gov/MagellanCaseInquiry
February 23, 2022 Update: Magellan Diagnostics has announced that it resumed manufacturing and distribution of their LeadCare II test kits.
CDC Health Alert Network: Expansion of Recall of LeadCare Blood Lead Tests Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results October 14, 2021 update
Expanded Urgent Medical Device Recall for LeadCare II analyzers from Magellan Diagnostics: August 30, 2021 update
U.S. FDA Statement from ongoing investigation into lead testing results using venous blood on Lead Care II analyzers: March 22, 2018 update
Frequently asked questions about the 2018 safety warning (pdf)

Law Related to Demolition of Residences with Lead-Based Paint

Senate Bill 871 (2017) allows any city in Oregon to establish a program by ordinance that requires individuals and contractors to follow certain best practices when demolishing pre-1978 residences.
The bill also requires contractors to submit proof of holding one of four certifications as defined in OAR333-068.
Best Practices (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

Alerts and Recalls

Find links to current lead poisoning alerts and product recalls

Reducing Lead in School Drinking Water

OAR 333-061-0400, "Reducing lead in school drinking water"
Resources for schools, including EPA's 3Ts guidance
Visit OHA's Healthy School Facilities website to learn about Oregon's work to reduce harmful contaminants in schools and child care facilities.

Resources

Report unsafe work practices

The Oregon Construction Contractors Board licenses "Lead Safe" contractors for home renovation, repair or painting.

CCB Lead Safe Contractors

Program Contacts