FDA approves quick test for lead exposure

A new blood test that measures lead exposure and gives results in three minutes has won U.S. approval, a Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman said on Monday.

The test, made by privately held Magellan Biosciences Inc., improves on older ones that had to be sent to a laboratory and could take two weeks or more to deliver results, FDA spokeswoman Susan Bro said.

The new test could be especially useful for health-care workers who test children in schools for lead exposure, Bro said. Blood is drawn by pricking a finger.

“Results are produced in three minutes. Obviously that will allow for real-time intervention where and when it’s needed,” Bro said.

High levels of lead exposure can cause brain damage and other problems, particularly in young children.