2006 Minnesota Statutes

144.9502 STATEWIDE LEAD SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.
    Subdivision 1. Surveillance. The commissioner of health shall establish a statewide lead
surveillance system. The purpose of this system is to:
(a) monitor blood lead levels in children and adults to identify trends and populations at high
risk for elevated blood lead levels;
(b) ensure that screening services are provided to populations at high risk for elevated blood
lead levels;
(c) ensure that medical and environmental follow-up services for children with elevated
blood lead levels are provided; and
(d) provide accurate and complete data for planning and implementing primary prevention
programs that focus on the populations at high risk for elevated blood lead levels.
    Subd. 2. Studies and surveys. The commissioner of health shall collect blood lead level and
exposure information, analyze the information, and conduct studies designed to determine the
potential for high risk for elevated blood lead levels among children and adults.
    Subd. 3. Reports of blood lead analysis required. (a) Every hospital, medical clinic,
medical laboratory, other facility, or individual performing blood lead analysis shall report the
results after the analysis of each specimen analyzed, for both capillary and venous specimens,
and epidemiologic information required in this section to the commissioner of health, within the
time frames set forth in clauses (1) and (2):
(1) within two working days by telephone, fax, or electronic transmission, with written or
electronic confirmation within one month, for a venous blood lead level equal to or greater than
15 micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood; or
(2) within one month in writing or by electronic transmission, for any capillary result or for a
venous blood lead level less than 15 micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood.
(b) If a blood lead analysis is performed outside of Minnesota and the facility performing
the analysis does not report the blood lead analysis results and epidemiological information
required in this section to the commissioner, the provider who collected the blood specimen must
satisfy the reporting requirements of this section. For purposes of this section, "provider" has the
meaning given in section 62D.02, subdivision 9.
(c) The commissioner shall coordinate with hospitals, medical clinics, medical laboratories,
and other facilities performing blood lead analysis to develop a universal reporting form and
mechanism.
    Subd. 4. Blood lead analyses and epidemiologic information. The blood lead analysis
reports required in this section must specify:
(1) whether the specimen was collected as a capillary or venous sample;
(2) the date the sample was collected;
(3) the results of the blood lead analysis;
(4) the date the sample was analyzed;
(5) the method of analysis used;
(6) the full name, address, and phone number of the laboratory performing the analysis;
(7) the full name, address, and phone number of the physician or facility requesting the
analysis;
(8) the full name, address, and phone number of the person with the blood lead level, and the
person's birthdate, gender, and race.
    Subd. 5. Follow-up epidemiologic information. The follow-up epidemiologic information
required in this section must specify:
(1) the name, address, and phone number of the agency or individual contacted to investigate
the environment of the person with the elevated blood lead level to determine the sources of
lead exposure; and
(2) the name, address, and phone number of all agencies or individuals to whom the person
or the person's guardian was referred for education about the sources, effects, and prevention of
lead exposure.
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 2001 c 205 art 1 s 43]
    Subd. 7. Reporting without liability. The furnishing of the information required under
this section shall not subject the person, laboratory, or other facility furnishing the information
to any action for damages or relief.
    Subd. 8. Laboratory standards. (a) A laboratory performing blood lead analysis shall
use methods that:
(1) meet or exceed the proficiency standards established in the federal Clinical Laboratory
Improvement Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 493, promulgated in
accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act amendments of 1988, Public Law
100-578; or
(2) meet or exceed the Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Lead in General
Industries, Code of Federal Regulations, section 1910.1025, and Occupational Safety and Health
Standards for Lead in Construction, Code of Federal Regulations, section 1926.62.
(b) A laboratory performing lead analysis of paint, soil, or dust must be a laboratory
recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Toxic Substances
Control Act, United States Code, title 15, section 2685, paragraph (b). Analysis of samples of
drinking water must be performed by a laboratory certified by the commissioner to analyze
lead in water.
    Subd. 9. Classification of data. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, including section
13.05, subdivision 9, data collected by the commissioner of health about persons with blood lead
levels, including analytic results from samples of paint, soil, dust, and drinking water taken
from the individual's home and immediate property, shall be private and may only be used by
the commissioner of health, the commissioner of labor and industry, authorized agents of Indian
tribes, and authorized employees of local boards of health for the purposes set forth in this section.
History: 1995 c 213 art 1 s 4; 1998 c 407 art 2 s 50-52; 2001 c 205 art 1 s 26