Lead battery terminals maker Water Gremlin has been forced to close its factory in White Bear Township, Minnesota, after children of its employees were found to have elevated blood lead levels on 26 October.
The company’s facility remained closed until midday Friday (1 November) after a judge granted a one day extention to a 72 hour emergency closure. The plant could partly reopen if a Ramsey County District Court judge approves a clean-up plan today.
St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health investigators determined at least 12 children of workers at the company had elevated blood lead levels, including two children with blood lead levels above 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.