"More D.C. Kids Had Elevated Lead Than Stated"

"More than twice as many D.C. children as previously reported by federal and local health officials had high levels of lead in their blood amid the city's drinking water crisis, according to congressional investigators, throwing into doubt assurances by those officials that the lead in tap water did not seriously harm city children.

The new information was uncovered by a House subcommittee investigating the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's performance and has raised congressional concern about whether the agency properly alerted District residents to a health risk from unprecedented levels of lead in the water.

Local officials could not say Monday whether some children with unsafe lead exposure have gone without intervention to reduce health risks."

Carol D. Leonnig Washington Post August 4, 2009.