About 2.5% of U.S. children between ages 1 and 5 have blood lead levels at or above the CDC blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter.
In a joint letter (PDF), HRSA and CDC encourage all HRSA-supported health centers to do their part to address this urgent public health matter. Childhood exposure to lead is preventable. As health care providers, you can help by:
- Ensuring that all children at risk for lead poisoning are tested.
- Ensuring that all pediatric Medicaid recipients in your practice are tested for lead according to federal requirements.
- Learning about childhood lead exposure and appropriate prevention strategies.
- Educating parents/guardians about the ways to prevent exposure to lead.
- Following CDC’s Recommended Actions Based on Blood Lead Levels.
Background Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health because no safe blood lead level has been identified in children. Even low levels of lead in children’s blood can affect learning, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. Lead paint in pre-1978 housing is a major source of children’s exposure to lead in the U.S. Data from the American Healthy Homes Survey II estimate that millions of children have ongoing exposure to lead-based paint, placing them at risk for adverse health effects. Children from low-income households, those living in housing built before 1978, and children from certain races/ethnicities are at greater risk. There are often no apparent symptoms when a child is exposed to lead. Because of this, a blood test is the best way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead.
In October 2021, CDC lowered its blood lead reference value from 5.0 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. This means children with blood lead levels between 3.5 and 5.0 micrograms per deciliter should now also receive prompt services to mitigate health effects and remove or control lead exposure sources.
CDC Resources
- Webinar: CDC and HRSA Partner for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: Guidance for Clinicians
Watch the recording of a webinar from October 2022 where experts provided the latest information about preventing exposure to lead, testing, and medical management of children with lead poisoning. You’ll learn about CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and more.
- Testing Children for Lead Poisoning
- Blood Lead Levels in Children
Contact Poison Help right away if you suspect a poisoning by calling 800-222-1222. Find resources at poisonhelp.hrsa.gov.
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