U.S. health officials on Wednesday, May 16, lowered the threshold for what's considered lead poisoning in young children.

The change by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduces the definition of lead poisoning from 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood to 5 micrograms.

The CDC's action is the first time in 20 years that the level for acceptable levels of lead in the bloodstream have been adjusted.

More information in the news release from the US Office of Minority Health.