Twin Cities Plant Shut Down After Lead Poisoning In Kids: MDH

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP, MN — The Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry took action Monday to cease operations related to the industrial production of lead products at Water Gremlin, a company in White Bear Township they say has caused lead poisoning in children.

Children of Water Gremlin employees had elevated blood lead levels linked to lead dust brought home by workers unknowingly, according to investigators. Water Gremlin makes fishing sinkers.

State labor authorities today issued a temporary order that requires Water Gremlin to cease operations related to industrial production of lead products at its White Bear Township plant following an on-site inspection on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The Commissioners also today asked a Ramsey County District Court judge to issue an injunction extending this order until the court is satisfied that necessary steps have been taken and maintained to prevent the lead poisoning of workers’ children.

Health investigators determined that at least 12 children of workers at Water Gremlin had elevated blood lead levels, including two children with blood lead levels above the level of 15 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). Blood lead levels above this threshold are considered by health officials to constitute a particularly serious health risk for children.

While elevated blood lead levels in children are typically associated with in-home exposures to lead-based paint, investigators in these cases determined that the children’s elevated blood lead levels were linked to a separate issue called "take-home lead."

In the absence of appropriate industrial hygiene practices, lead dust can accumulate on workers’ bodies, clothing, shoes and personal items, and may be brought home unknowingly. Because lead dust is heavy, it can accumulate in homes and vehicles and is not easily removed. Family members living with the workers who bring lead dust home can ingest the lead dust, which can accumulate in their bodies.

County health officials had been working with Water Gremlin management to address the issue of take-home lead, but confirmation of a second child with a blood lead level above 15 mcg/dL this month indicated that the company’s efforts were insufficient. As a result, Ramsey County Public Health asked MDH and DLI for assistance.

"Confirmation of a second case of childhood lead poisoning made it clear that practices at the plant were not sufficient to reduce the risk," Health Department Commissioner Jan Malcolm said in a statement.

"Lead is a serious health concern, especially for children. We needed to act quickly to protect the workers and their families."

Commissioner Leppink earlier today issued a temporary order requiring Water Gremlin to cease operations related to industrial production of lead products at its White Bear Township plant following an on-site inspection on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The inspection found conditions and practices related to worker lead exposure and contamination that were cause for concern for the health of Water Gremlin workers and their families. Leppink’s authority to order Water Gremlin to cease operations at its plant expires after 72 hours, so she asked the court to extend the temporary order to allow time for the agency to ensure that Water Gremlin implements and sustains adequate remediation actions, according to a news release.

As health commissioner, Malcolm has independent statutory authority to ask the court to enjoin activities that are adverse to public health and asked the court to continue the shutdown ‑ again so that steps can be taken to protect workers and families’ health.

MDH and Ramsey County Public Health are working with the employees and their families to ensure all at-risk workers and family members are tested, and that contaminated houses and vehicles are cleaned.

In addition, the agencies are working with Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to help workers during the disruption in facility operations.