At a glance
Resources and guidance documents to support effective childhood lead poisoning prevention programs.
Note
Some of the documents below refer to a blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) as the ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø's blood lead reference value. ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø uses a blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) to identify children with blood lead levels that are higher than most children's levels. This level is based on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead values among U.S. children ages 1-5 years from the 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. Children with blood lead levels at or above the BLRV represent the top 2.5% with the highest blood lead levels.
Some of the documents on this page are presented for historical purposes and are not being maintained or updated.
** These documents are being kept on this website for historical purposes and are no longer in print.
Healthcare systems/insurance guidelines
- (2006) – This is an important resource on preventive services, including elevated blood lead level screening. The guide translates clinical guidelines and medical evidence, providing large employers with the information they need to select, define, and implement preventive medical benefits. The section on elevated blood lead level screening starts on page 164 of the guide, under the Evidence Statement for Child Health Promotion. The guide was developed by ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the National Business Group on Health.
- – This guide reviews HIPAA requirements and exceptions, focusing on those for public health agencies, and describes permissible uses of lead-related data under the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
- HIPAA Privacy Rule and Public Health: Guidance from ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Primary prevention guidelines
- (2005) – This publication offers a comprehensive collection of 70 "building blocks," which are primary prevention strategies to reduce exposure to hazards in housing. Source:
- (2004) – This document presents recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention for a housing-based approach to primary prevention of childhood lead poisoning to accelerate progress towards the elimination of elevated blood lead levels in children.
Screening and case management guidelines
- – reducing the risk of contamination during blood collection for lead testing.
- Educational Services for Children Affected by Lead Expert Panel. . (2015)
Note: ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø uses a blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) to identify children with blood lead levels that are higher than most children's levels. This level is based on the on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead values among U.S. of children ages 1-5 years from the 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. Children with blood lead levels at or above the BLRV represent those at the top 2.5% with the highest blood lead levels.
The documents below refer to a blood-lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) as the ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø level of concern for adverse health outcomes in children. This terminology is outdated, and readers are referred to the .
- ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø. (2010) – These guidelines are based on scientific data and practical considerations regarding preventing lead exposure during pregnancy, assessment and blood lead testing during pregnancy, medical and environmental management to reduce fetal exposure, breastfeeding, and follow up of infants and children exposed to lead in utero.
- ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø. . MMWR. August 7, 2009; 58(RR09);1-11.
- ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø. . MMWR. November 2, 2007; 56(RR08):1-14;16.Erratum: Vol. 56, No. RR-8 MMWR. November 30, 2007; 56(47):1241-1242.
- (2007) – Lead exposure is a continuing urgent health problem for Roma in Kosovo. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's' Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have collaborated in blood lead surveillance of the Roma children living in refugee camps in Kosovo. This document includes recommendations.
- (2002) – This report from the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention is intended to facilitate the management of children with elevated blood lead levels by providing case managers with information and guidance.
- ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø. . MMWR. December 8, 2000; 49(RR-14):1-13.
- (1997) – The policy outlined in the document has two main purposes: to increase screening and follow-up care of children who most need these services, and to help communities pursue the most appropriate approach to the prevention of childhood lead poisoning.
Surveillance guidelines
- (2004) – These guidelines were prepared to help new lead epidemiologists quickly learn how to use geographic information systems (GIS) mapping technology to assess and direct childhood lead poisoning elimination efforts.
Lead toxicology reports
- – The ATSDR Interaction Profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for mixtures of hazardous substances. (May, 2004).
- – This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about lead.
- – This ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for lead.