Nearly half a million U.S. children missed out on lead tests in early 2020

Exposure to the toxic metal can cause long-term health problems for children

nurse drawing blood from a boy in Flint, Michigan

A boy gives blood during a lead-testing clinic in Flint, Mich., in 2016. The city switched its water supply in 2014, which caused lead contamination of residents’ water.

Mike Householder/AP Images

Close to a half million U.S.