State’s Lead Cleanup Efforts Hampered By Concerns Over Privacy Of Blood Test Data
Experts say the information could be used to pinpoint the children most affected by the lead that spewed from the Exide battery plant in Vernon. But the state Department of Public Health says it is prohibited by medical privacy law from releasing data showing individual test results.
The Los Angeles Times:
State Isn't Using Blood-Test Data That Could Help Focus Exide Cleanup Efforts
The state of California has blood test results showing high levels of lead in children living near the closed Exide battery plant in Vernon but is not using the information to direct its massive cleanup of lead-contaminated homes and yards. (Barboza and Poston, 3/26)
In other health news from around the state —
The Ventura County Star:
Four Years In, Not One More Raising Awareness In Simi Valley Heroin Battle
Four years into its run, Simi Valley anti-heroin group Not One More has yet to achieve the goal implicit in its name. There have been heroin deaths in the city since the group's founding. But they have trended downward, from seven in 2011 to zero in 2014 and 2015, police say. Pat Montoya, president of the grass-roots organization that marked its fourth anniversary last month, says the nonprofit group deserves some of the credit. (Harris, 3/27)
The Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Poised To Hike Price Of Cigarettes
Will minors be deterred from buying cigarettes if they cost $7 a pack? Sonoma County health officials are betting yes. Under a sweeping county proposal set to go before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, the price floor for cigarettes would rise to $7 per pack at nearly 140 stores outside of city limits. (Har, 3/27)
The Sun:
Community Supports Hospitalized Shooting Victim With Blood Donations
Members of the community came out to support Kristin Bauer, the 28-year-old woman taken hostage Thursday and shot by her estranged boyfriend in Redlands. Bauer remained in critical condition Friday, according to Loma Linda University Medical Center. (Valenzuela and Hernanadez, 3/25)
The Marin Independent Journal:
Marin Drug Treatment Center Sued By Dead Client's Father
The father of a man who died at a Center Point drug treatment center in San Rafael three years ago has sued Center Point, alleging the facility's failure to follow state regulations led to his son's death. (Halstead, 3/28)