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Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease 

Control 

Publication date: 10/01/1991

Table of Contents

A STATEMENT BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION -- OCTOBER 1991

PREFACE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION

CONVERSION TO SYSTEME INTERNATIONAL (SI) UNITS

Chapter 1. Introduction

REFERENCES

CHAPTER 2. BACKGROUND

EFFECTS OF LEAD ON CHILDREN AND FETUSES

LEVELS OF CONCERN

RANGE OF EFFECTS OF LEAD

STUDIES OF LOW-LEVEL LEAD EFFECTS ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

ABSORPTION OF LEAD

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN THE UNITED STATES

REFERENCES

CHAPTER 3. SOURCES AND PATHWAYS OF LEAD EXPOSURE

INTRODUCTION

LEAD-BASED PAINT

SOIL AND DUST

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DRINKING WATER

OCCUPATIONS AND HOBBIES

AIRBORNE LEAD

FOOD

OTHER SOURCES

SOURCES OF LEAD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

REFERENCES

CHAPTER 4. THE ROLE OF THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE

SCREENING FOR CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING

DOING APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC BLOOD LEAD TESTING

INTERPRETATION OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

EDUCATING PARENTS ABOUT REDUCING BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

HOUSEKEEPING INTERVENTIONS

OTHER INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LEAD

NUTRITION

COORDINATING WITH PUBLIC SECTOR OFFICIALS

APPROPRIATE FOLLOWUP

CHAPTER 5. THE ROLE OF STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES

PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES

SCREENING

SURVEILLANCE AND RISK ASSESSMENT

PRIMARY PREVENTION

INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

PROVIDING SERVICES TO POISONED CHILDREN

HOUSING AGENCIES

ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES

CHAPTER 6. SCREENING

SUGGESTED PRIORITIES FOR SCREENING

SCREENING METHOD

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE AND ASSESSING RISK

SCREENING SCHEDULE

BACKGROUND

ASSESSMENT OF RISK

USING QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

SCREENING SCHEDULE

CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF SCREENING TEST RESULTS

MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

ADDITIONAL ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN (EP)

INTERPRETING EP RESULTS AND FOLLOWING UP ON CHILDREN WITH HIGH EP LEVELS.

ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

REFERENCES

CHAPTER 7. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN BLOOD 

LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING

EVALUATION OF THE CHILD WITH A BLOOD LEAD LEVEL > OR = 20 UG/DL

HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

IRON STATUS AND SPECIAL TESTS

PHARMACOLOGY OF CHELATING AGENTS

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BAL

CaNa2EDTA

D-PENICILLAMINE

SUCCIMER

TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING (WITH OR WITHOUT 

ENCEPHALOPATHY)

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ASYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING

POST-CHELATION FOLLOWUP

RESEARCH AREAS AND FUTURE TRENDS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD LEAD 

POISONING

BONE LEAD MEASUREMENTS USING XRAY FLUORESCENCE (XRF)

EFFICACY OF CHELATING AGENTS

SUCCIMER

TOXICITY OF CaNa2EDTA

REFERENCES

CHAPTER 8. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL 

CHILD

ENVIRONMENTAL CASE MANAGEMENT

TIME FRAMES FOR INVESTIGATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS

EDUCATING PARENTS ABOUT LEAD POISONING

INVESTIGATING THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATING THE RESULTS

EMERGENCY MEASURES TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE

LONG-TERM MEASURES TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE

EVALUATING INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES

ASSESSING THE LEAD PROBLEM IN THE CHILD'S COMMUNITY

TESTING FOR AND ABATING LEAD-BASED PAINT

INSPECTION AND TESTING

ABATEMENT

REFERENCES

CHAPTER 9. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE COMMUNITY

SURVEILLANCE

DATA ON BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

RISK ASSESSMENT AND INTEGRATED PREVENTION PLANNING

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

HAZARD ABATEMENT

APPENDIX I. CAPILLARY SAMPLING PROTOCOL

A. NEEDED MATERIALS

B. PREPARING FOR BLOOD COLLECTION

C. PREPARING THE FINGER FOR PUNCTURE

D. PUNCTURING OF THE FINGER AND FORMING DROPS OF BLOOD

E. FILLING THE COLLECTION CONTAINER

REFERENCES

APPENDIX II. SUMMARY FOR THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER

CHAPTERS 1 AND 2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

CHAPTER 3. SOURCES AND PATHWAYS OF LEAD EXPOSURE

CHAPTER 4. THE ROLE OF THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER

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CHAPTER 5. THE ROLE OF STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES

CHAPTER 6. SCREENING

SCREENING METHOD

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE AND ASSESSING RISK

SCREENING SCHEDULE

CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF SCREENING TEST RESULTS

MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS -- ADDITIONAL ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN (EP)

CHAPTER 7. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH 

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING

EVALUATION OF THE CHILD WITH A BLOOD LEAD LEVEL > OR = 20 UG/DL

PHARMACOLOGY OF CHELATING AGENTS

TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL.

POST-CHELATION FOLLOWUP

CHAPTER 8. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL 

CHILD

CHAPTER 9. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE COMMUNITY

POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS DOCUMENT:

Tables

nterpretation

ndustries

riority

ssessing

lass

uggested

harmacology

Figures

Lowest

Blood

Blood

Cummulative

Change

Relationship

A STATEMENT BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 

PREVENTION -- OCTOBER 1991

WILLIAM L. ROPER, M.D., M.P.H, DIRECTOR 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND INJURY CONTROL Vernon N. Houk, M.D., 

Director 

Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects Henry Falk, M.D., Director 

Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch

Sue Binder, M.D., Chief 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE CENTERS FOR 

DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION 

NOTE: USE OF TRADE NAMES IS FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT 

CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE OR BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. 

PREFACE

This is the fourth revision of the statement on Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children by the Centers for 

Disease Control (CDC). The recommendations continued herein are based mainly on the scientific data showing 

adverse effects of lead in young children at increasingly lower blood lead levels. They are tempered, however, by 

practical considerations, for example, of the numbers of children echo would require followup and the resources 

required to prevent this disease. It is possible that further scientific data and development of infrastructure and 

technology will result in a lowering of the blood lead level at which interventions are recommended at a future time. 

This statement is a departure from previous ones in several ways. Perhaps most important is the emphasis on 

primary prevention and the need for coordination between pediatric health-care providers and public agencies. This 

statement reflects the vision expressed in the Department of Health and Human Services' Strategic Plan for the 

Elimination of Childhood Lead Poisoning, which calls for a concerted, coordinated societywide effort to eliminate 

this disease. 

In writing this statement, we identified several areas where better data are needed in order to provide scientifically 

sound guidance. These range from evaluating the efficacy of chelation therapy at lower blood lead levels in terms of 

preventing the adverse effects of lead to developing science-based criteria for determining when an abated unit is 

cleaned up enough for rehabilitation. We hope that the appropriate research to answer such questions will be 

conducted in a timely manner, and we will continue to update the statement to reflect current understanding. 

We are aware of concerns about the impact the changes in the statement will have on childhood lead poisoning 

prevention programs, laboratories, and pediatric health-care providers. In this new statement, we recognize the need 

for a transition period until we are able to implement fully the new recommendations; it will take time and a 

concerted effort to implement this new guidance. 

CDC is conducting several activities which bear directly on the implementation of the statement. First, as noted 

above, the Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Childhood Lead Poisoning was released by Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, 

Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, on February 21, 1991. In addition to laying out the 

actions needed to eliminate childhood lead poisoning, this plan describes the need for infrastructure and technology 

development, including for the evaluation of blood and environmental lead levels. Second, CDC is aggressively 

pursuing research and development efforts in collaboration with several instrument manufacturers to develop a 

field-rugged, relatively inexpensive, and simple-to-operate blood lead instrument, which would markedly enhance 

blood lead screening efforts. Initial results are encouraging, but the effort is still in the developmental stage. If all 

goes well, new instrumentation could be ready in 2 to 3 years. Third, we are continuing our efforts to help 

laboratories improve the quality of their blood lead measurements through our proficiency testing program and 

through our Blood Lead Laboratory Reference System. Finally, CDC also has a grant program in childhood lead 

poisoning prevention, through which state and local health agencies receive Federal money to screen children for 

lead poisoning, ensure environmental and medical followup for poisoned children, and provide education about lead 

poisoning. By the end of FY 1991, we will be funding 13 state and 2 city childhood lead poisoning prevention 

programs, and the President's budget for 1992 includes almost a doubling of the FY 1991 budget. We continue to 

encourage CDC-funded programs to address infrastructure issues. 

Other Federal agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban 

Development, have also released plans that deal with aspects of the childhood lead poisoning problem. These 

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agencies are also working to build the needed infrastructure for and expand the scientific knowledge on reducing 

exposure to lead in the environment. 

I wish to thank the members of the Committee and consultants, as well as the numerous other people who assisted 

in the development and revision of this document. I believe this document will be a major landmark in the effort to 

eliminate childhood lead poisoning from the United States. 

Vernon N. Houk, M.D.

Director 

National Center for Environmental Health and Injury Control 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING 

PREVENTION

MEMBERS AND CONSULTANTS 

CHAIR 

John F. Rosen, M.D., Attending Pediatrician, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, 111 East 20th Street, Bronx, 

New York 10467 

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 

Henry Falk, M..D., Director Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for 

Environmental Health and Injury Control, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333 

MEMBERS 

Evelyn S. Bouden, M.D. ,Director ,Division of Maternal and Child Health, Pennsylvania Department of Health, 725 

H & W Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108 

Beverly Coleman-Miller, M.D., Special Assistant for Medical Affairs, Commission of Public Health, 1660 L Street, 

N.W., Suite 1204, Washington, D.C. 20036 

Ronald L. Fletcher, M.D., Co-Director, Oncology Department, Greene Memorial Hospital, 1141 N. Monroe Drive, 

Xenia, Ohio 44385 

Lynn R. Goldman, M.D., Chief, Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Section Department of Health 

Services, 5900 Hollis Street, Suite E Emeryville, California 94608 

Dwala S. Griffin, Administrator, Division of Preventive Medicine, Louisville-Jefferson County Board of Health, 

400 East Gray Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 

Richard J. Jackson, M.D., Chief, Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment, California Department of 

Health Services, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room 619, Berkeley, California 4704-1071 

Rudolph E. Jackson, M.D., Professor and Acting Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Morehouse School of 

Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30310 

James C. Keck, President, Leadtec Services, Inc., 522 Beck Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21221 

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Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of 

Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Iroquois Building, Suite 305, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-

2593 

Sergio Piomelli, M.D., Director, Babies Hospital, 3959 Broadway, New York, New York 10032 

Stephanie L. Pollack, J.D., Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation of New England, 3 Joy Street, Boston, 

Massachusetts 02108-1497 

Knut Ringen, Dr.P.H., Director, Laborers' National Health and Safety Fund, 905 16th Street, NW, Washington, 

D.C. 20006 

Noel V. Stanton, Lead Chemist, Toxicology Section, State Laboratory of Hygiene, 465 Henry Mall, Madison, 

Wisconsin 53706 

CONSULTANTS 

David Bellinger, Ph.D., Neuroepidemiology Unit Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, 

Massachusetts 02115 

James J. Chisolm, Jr., M.D., Associate Professor, Francis Scott Key Medical Center, Building G. Room 224, 4940 

Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 

Charles G. Copley, Deputy Health Commissioner, City of Saint Louis, Department of Health and Hospitals, Office 

of the Commissioner, 634 N. Grand, P. O. Box 147202, Saint Louis, Missouri 63178 

Anita S. Curran, M.D., Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, University of 

Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, One Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 

John W. Graef, M.D., Director, Lead/Toxicology Clinic, The Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, 

Massachusetts 02115 

Phillip J. Landrigan, M.D., Director Division of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical 

Center, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029 

John R. Reigart, M.D., Project Pediatrician, S. C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Project, Department of Pediatrics, 

Children's Hospital, 171 Ashley Avenue, 6th Floor, Charleston, South Carolina 29425 

CONVERSION TO SYSTEME INTERNATIONAL (SI) UNITS

BLOOD LEAD 

 1.0 ug/dL = 0.04826 umol/L 1.0 ug/dL = 20.72 ug/dL 

 0 ug/dL = 0. umol/L 

 5 ug/dL = 0.241 umol/L 

 10 ug/dL = 0.483 umol/L 

 15 ug/dL = 0.724 umol/L 

 20 ug/dL = 0.965 umol/L 

 25 ug/dL = 1.206 umol/L 

 30 ug/dL = 1.448 umol/L 

 35 ug/dL = 1.689 umol/L 

 40 ug/dL = 1.930 umol/L 

 45 ug/dL = 2.172 umol/L 

 50 ug/dL = 2.413 umol/L 

ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN 

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 1.0 ug/dL = 0.01778 umol/L 1.0 umol/L = 56.25 ug/dL 

 28 ug/dL = 0.498 umol/L 

 35 ug/dL = 0.622 umol/L 

 70 ug/dL = 1.245 umol/L 

Chapter 1. Introduction

SUMMARY 

New data indicate significant adverse effects of lead exposure in children at blood lead levels previously believed to 

be safe. Some adverse health effects have been documented at blood lead levels at least as low as 10 ug/dL of whole 

blood . 

The 1985 intervention level of 25 ug/dL is, therefore, being revised downwards to 10 ug/dL. 

A multitier approach to follow up has been adopted. 

Primary prevention efforts (that is, elimination of lead hazards before children are poisoned) must receive more 

emphasis as the blood lead levels of concern are lowered. 

The goal of all lead poisoning prevention activities should be to reduce children's blood lead levels below 10 ug/dL. 

If many children in the community have blood lead levels > or = ug/dL, community wide interventions (primary 

prevention activities) should be considered by appropriate agencies. Interventions for individual children should 

begin at blood lead levels of 15 ug/dL. 

Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems in the United States today, and it is 

entirely preventable. Enough is now known about the sources and pathways of lead exposure and about ways of 

preventing this exposure to begin the efforts to eradicate permanently this disease. The persistence of lead poisoning 

in the United States, in light of all that is known, presents a singular and direct challenge to public health 

authorities, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and society. 

LEAD POISONING IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON AND PREVENTABLE PEDIATRIC HEALTH 

PROBLEMS TODAY. 

Lead is ubiquitous in the human environment as a result of industrialization. It has no known physiologic value. 

Children are particularly susceptible to lead's toxic effects. Lead poisoning, for the most part, is silent: most 

poisoned children have no symptoms. The vast majority of cases, therefore, go undiagnosed and untreated. Lead 

poisoning is widespread. It is not solely a problem of inner city or minority children. No socioeconomic group, 

geographic area, or racial or ethnic population is spared. 

Previous lead statements issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have acknowledged the adverse effects 

of lead at looser and looser levels. In the most recent previous CDC lead statement, published in 1985, the threshold 

for action was set at a blood lead level of 25 ug/dL, although it was acknowledged that adverse effects occur below 

that level. In the past several years, however, the scientific evidence showing that some adverse effects occur at 

blood lead levels at least as low as 10 ug/dL in children has become so over whelming and compelling that it must 

be a major force in determining how we approach childhood lead exposure. 

This document provides guidelines on childhood lead poisoning prevention for diverse groups. Public health 

programs that screen children for lead poisoning look to this document for guidance on screening regimens and 

public health actions. Pediatricians and other health-care practitioners look to this document for information on 

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screening and guidance on the medical treatment of poisoned children. Government agencies, elected officials, and 

private citizens seek guidance about what constitutes a harmful level of lead in blood what the current definition of 

lead poisoning is and what blood lead levels should trigger environmental and other interventions. 

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SELECT A SINGLE NUMBER TO DEFINE LEAD POISONING FOR THE 

VARIOUS PURPOSES OF ALL OF THESE GROUPS. Epidemiologic studies have identified harmful effects of 

lead in children at blood lead levels at least as low as 10 ug/dL. Some studies have suggested harmful effects at 

even lower levels, but the body of information accumulated so far is not adequate for effects below about 10 ug/dL 

to be evaluated definitively. As yet, no threshold has been identified for the harmful ejects of lead. 

Because 10 ug/dL is the lower level of the range at which effects are now identified, primary prevention activities 

community wide environmental interventions and nutritional and educational campaigns should be directed at 

reducing children's blood lead levels at least to below 10 ug/dL. Blood lead levels between 10 and 14 ug /dL are in 

a border zone. While the overall goal is to reduce children's blood lead levels below 10 ug/dL, there are several 

reasons for not attempting to do interventions directed at individual children to lower blood lead levels of 10-14 

ug/dL. First, particularly at low blood lead levels, laboratory measurements may have some inaccuracy and 

imprecision, so a blood lead level in this range may, in fact, be below 10 ug/dL. Secondly, effective environmental 

and medical interventions for children with blood lead levels in this range have not yet been identified and 

evaluated. Finally, the sheer numbers of children in this range would preclude effective case management and 

would detract from the individualized follow up required by children who have higher blood lead levels. 

THE SINGLE, ALL-PURPOSE DEFINITION OF CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING HAS BEEN REPLACED 

WITH A MULTITIER APPROACH, described in Table 1 1. Community prevention activities should be triggered 

by blood lead levels > or = to 10 ug/dL. Medical evaluation and environmental investigation and remediation 

should be done for all children with blood lead levels > or = to 20 ug/dL. All children With blood lead levels > or = 

to 15 ug/dL should receive individual case management, including nutritional and educational interventions and 

more frequent screening. Furthermore, depending on the availability of resources, environmental investigation 

(including a home inspection) and remediation should be done for children with blood lead levels of 15-19 ug/dL, if 

such levels persist. The highest priority should continue to be the children with the highest blood lead levels. 

Other differences between the 1985 and 1991 statements are as follows: 

SCREENING TEST OF CHOICE. Because the erythrocyte protoporphyrin level is not sensitive enough to identify 

children with elevated blood lead levels below about 25 ug/dL, the screening test of choice is now blood lead 

measurement. 

UNIVERSAL SCREENING. Since virtually all children are at risk for lead poisoning, a phase in of universal 

screening is recommended, except in communities where large numbers or percentages of children has e been 

screened and found not to have lead poisoning. The full implementation of this still require the ability to measure 

blood lead levels on capillary samples and the availability of cheaper and easier-to-use methods of blood lead 

measurement. 

PRIMARY PREVENTION. Efforts need to be increasingly focused on preventing lead poisoning before it occurs. 

This will require community wide environmental interventions, as well as educational and nutritional campaigns. 

SUCCIMER. In January, 1991, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved succimer, an oral chelating agent, 

for chelation of children with blood lead levels over 45 ug/dL. 

Childhood lead poisoning prevention programs have had a tremendous impact on reducing the occurrence of lead 

poisoning in the United States. Because of these programs, deaths from lead poisoning and lead encephalopathy are 

now rare. These programs have targeted high- risk children for periodic screening; provided education to caretakers 

about the causes, effects, symptoms, and treatments for lead poisoning; and ensured medical treatment and 

environmental remediation for poisoned children. Screening and medical treatment of poisoned children avid 

remain critically important until the environmental sources most likely to poison children are eliminated. 

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Federal regulatory and other actions have resulted in substantial progress in reducing blood lead levels in the entire 

U.S. population. In the last two decades, the virtual elimination of lead from gasoline has been reflected in 

reductions in blood lead levels in children and adults. Lead levels in food have also decreased since most 

manufacturers stopped using leaded solder in cans and since atmospheric deposition of lead on food crops declined 

as a result of reductions of lead in gasoline. In 1978, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the addition 

of lead to new residential paint. 

Nevertheless, important environmental sources and pathways of lead remain. Lead-based paint and leadcontaminated dusts and soils remain the primary sources and pathways of lead exposure for children. In addition, 

children continue to be exposed to lead through air, water, and food, as well as occupations and hobbies of parents 

and caretakers. The focus of prevention efforts, therefore, must expand from merely identifying and treating 

individual children to include primary prevention-preventing exposure to lead before children become poisoned. 

This will require a shared responsibility among many public and private agencies. Public agencies will have to work 

with pediatric health-care providers to identify communities with childhood lead- poisoning prevention problems 

and unusual sources of lead and to ensure environmental followup of poisoned children. Public housing and 

economic development agencies will have to integrate lead paint abatement into housing rehabilitation policies and 

programs. Health- care providers will need to phase in virtually universal screening of children. Public and private 

organizations must continue to develop economical and widely-available blood lead tests to make such screening 

possible. Public and private housing owners must bear a portion of the financial burden for abatement. 

The changes in this statement are not meant to create an enormous burden on primary pediatric health-care 

providers. These changes will only be useful if public health and other agencies effectively complement health-care 

providers' activities. Several efforts have begun to increase federal support of childhood lead poisoning prevention 

programs and of followup activities. Ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure and technology by the public and 

private sectors include 1) the development of inexpensive, easy-to-use portable methods for measuring blood lead 

levels; 2) the development of training and certification programs for lead paint inspectors and abatement 

contractors; and 3) the development and testing of new abatement methods, including encapsulants. The changes in 

this statement are also not meant to increase the emphasis on screening of children; the long-term goal of this 

statement is PREVENTION. Until primary prevention of childhood lead poisoning can be achieved, however, 

increased screening and followup of poisoned children is essential. 

ELIMINATION OF CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING: 

• Will require efforts from both the private and public sectors.

• Will require a shift in emphasis to primary prevention.

• Will take time and resources.

• Should proceed in a rational manner, with the highest risk children being made the highest priority.

• Can be achieved.

In February 1991, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a Strategic Plan for the Elimination 

of Childhood Lead Poisoning (HHS, 1991). This plan describes the first 5 years of a 20-year societywide effort to 

eliminate this disease. It places highest priority on first addressing the children at greatest risk for lead poisoning. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, 1990) and the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA, 1991) have both released plans dealing with the elimination of lead hazards. To eliminate this disease will 

require a tremendous effort from all levels of government as well as the private sector, but we believe that the 

benefits to society will be well worth it. We look forward to the day when childhood lead poisoning is no longer a 

public health problem. 

REFERENCES

CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Preventing lead poisoning in young children: a statement by the Centers for 

Disease Control. Atlanta: CDC, 1985; CDC report no. 99-2230. 

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EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Strategy for reducing lead exposures: report to Congress. Washington 

(DC): EPA, 1991. 

HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Strategic plan for the elimination of childhood lead 

poisoning. Atlanta: CDC, 1991. 

HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). Comprehensive and Workable plan for the abatement 

of lead-based paint in privately owned housing: report to Congress. Washington (DC): HUD, 1990. 

CHAPTER 2. BACKGROUND

SUMMARY 

THE BLOOD LEAD LEVEL CONSIDERED TO INDICATE LEAD TOXICITY HAS PROGRESSIVELY 

SHIFTED DOWNWARDS. 

IN GENERAL, CHILDREN ARE MORE AT RISK FOR LEAD EXPOSURE THAN ADULTS. 

LARGE NUMBERS OF CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUE TO HAVE BLOOD LEAD 

LEVELS IN THE TOXIC RANGE. 

This chapter describes the health effects of lead on children and fetuses, the metabolism of lead, and the 

demographics of lead exposure in the United States. It explains why the definition of childhood lead poisoning is 

being revised. 

EFFECTS OF LEAD ON CHILDREN AND FETUSES

LEAD AFFECTS VIRTUALLY EVERY SYSTEM IN THE BODY. 

THE BLOOD LEAD LEVEL CONSIDERED TO INDICATE LEAD POISONING HAS FALLEN STEADILY 

SINCE THE 1970S. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS AT LEAST AS LOW AS 10 UG/DL ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ADVERSE EFFECTS. 

ALTHOUGH THE EFFECTS OF LOW-LEVEL LEAD EXPOSURE MAY NOT SEEM SEVERE IN THE 

INDIVIDUAL CHILD, ON A POPULATION BASIS THEY ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. 

Lead is a poison that affects virtually every system in the body. It is particularly harmful to the developing brain and 

nervous system of fetuses and young children. The adverse effects of lead on children and adults are summarized in 

Figure 2 1. 

The risks of lead exposure are not based on theoretical calculations. They are well known from studies of children 

themselves and are not extrapolated from data on laboratory animals or high-dose occupational exposures. 

LEVELS OF CONCERN

Since 1970, our understanding of childhood lead poisoning has changed substantially. As investigators have used 

more sensitive measures and better study designs, the generally recognized level for lead toxicity has progressively 

shifted downward. Before the mid-1960s, a level above 60 ug/dL was considered toxic (Chisolm and Harrison, 

1956). By 1978, the defined level of toxicity had declined 50% to 30 ug/dL Figure 2 2 shows how the federal 

definition of an elevated blood lead level has changed over the years. 

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RANGE OF EFFECTS OF LEAD

Very severe lead exposure in children (blood lead levels 380 ug/dL) can cause coma, convulsions, and even death. 

Lower levels cause adverse effects on the central nervous system, kidney, and hematopoietic system. Blood lead 

levels as low as 10 ug/dL, which do not cause distinctive symptoms, are associated with decreased intelligence and 

impaired neurobehavioral development (Davis and Svendsgaard, 1987; Mushak et al., 1989). Many other effects 

begin at these low blood lead levels, including decreased stature or growth (Schwartz et al., 1986; Bornschein et al., 

1986; Shulka et al., 1989), decreased hearing acuity (Schwartz and Otto, 1987), and decreased ability to maintain a 

steady posture (Bhattacharya et al., 1988). Lead's impairment of the synthesis of the active metabolite 1,25-(OH)2, 

vitamin D is detectable at blood lead levels of 10-15 ug/dL. Maternal and cord blood lead levels of 10-15 ug/dL 

appear to be associated with reduced gestational age and reduced weight at birth (ATSDR, 1988). Although 

researchers have not yet completely defined the impact of blood lead levels <10 ug/dL on central nervous system 

function, it may be that even these levels are associated with adverse effects that will be clearer with more refined 

research. 

STUDIES OF LOW-LEVEL LEAD EFFECTS ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The concern about adverse effects on central nervous system functioning at blood lead levels as low as 10 ug/dL is 

based on a large number of rigorous epidemiologic and experimental studies. In particular, recent cross-sectional 

and prospective studies have provided new evidence about the association between low-level lead exposure and 

child development. 

Several well-designed and carefully conducted cross-sectional and retrospective cohort studies in many different 

countries have been conducted (Lansdown et al., 1986; Fulton et al., 1987; Fergusson et al., 1988; Silva et al., 1988; 

Bergomi et al., 1989; Hansen et al., 1989; Hatzakis et al., 1989; Winneke et al., 1990; Lyngbye et al., 1990; 

Needleman et al., 1990; Yule et al., 1981; Lansdown et al., 1986; Hawk et al., 1986; Schroeder et al., 1985). Figure 

2 3 shows the mean intelligence quotient (IQ) scores (in most cases adjusted for potential confounding factors) 

achieved by children with different blood lead levels from several of these studies. Some inconsistencies can be 

found in the results of these studies, but the weight of the evidence clearly supports the hypothesis that decrements 

in children's cognition are evident at blood lead levels well below 25 ug/dL. No threshold for the lead-IQ 

relationship is discernable from these data. 

Most investigators report lower IQ scores among the more highly exposed children but these differences have not 

uniformly reached statistical significance (that is, p<.05). One way to synthesize the data from different studies is 

meta-analysis. Recent evaluation of 24 major cross-sectional studies provides strong support for the hypothesis that 

children's IQ scores are inversely related to lead burden (Needleman and Gatsonis, 1990). 

Although available evidence is not sufficient to conclude that lead-associated deficits are irreversible, a recent 

follow-up study reported that the educational success of a cohort of young adults was significantly inversely 

associated with the amount of lead in teeth they shed as first and second graders (Needleman et al., 1990). In this 

study, dentine lead levels above 20 ppm were associated with a seven-fold risk of not graduating from high school, 

a six-fold risk of having a reading disability, deficits in vocabulary, problems with attention and fine motor 

coordination, greater absenteeism, and lower class ranking. Although dentine lead levels did not correspond in any 

simple way to blood lead levels, the available preschool blood lead levels of the more highly exposed children 

averaged 35 ug/dL (Needleman et al., 1979). Increased circumpulpal dentine lead levels (>16 ppm) have been 

linked to higher rates of learning disabilities in a recent Danish study as well (Lyngbye et al., 1990). 

To address methodological limitations of cross-sectional studies of lead and child development, a number of 

prospective studies were begun during the 1980s. Blood lead measurements were begun during the prenatal period 

and continued for several years, along with assessment of development. In several but not all cohorts, prenatal 

exposures have been associated with slower sensory-motor and delayed early cognitive development (Bellinger et 

al., 1987; Bellinger et al., 1991; Dietrich et al., 1987; Ernhart et al., 1986; Dietrich et al., 1991). With low postnatal 

exposures and favorable socioeconomic conditions, some of these early associations may attenuate as children grow 

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older (Bellinger et al., 1991). In addition, several studies have noted that children's cognitive performance in the 

preschool period may be associated with early postnatal lead exposures (McMichael et al., 1988; Bellinger et al., 

1991). It will be necessary for these prospective studies to follow their respective cohorts into the school-age years 

in order for the full implications of these early patterns to become clear. 

Questions are frequently raised about the practical significance of the difference frequently observed between the 

IQ scores of more exposed and less exposed children. For the previously described population of children studied 

by Needleman et al. (Needleman et al., 1979), a shift in mean IQ score of 4-6 points as a result of lead exposure was 

associated with a substantial increase in the prevalence of children with severe deficits (that is, IQ scores less than 

80)(Figure 2 4). Similarly, in this population the shift was associated with an absence of children who achieved 

superior function (that is, IQ scores greater than 125). 

ABSORPTION OF LEAD

CHILDREN ARE AT HIGHER RISK FOR LEAD EXPOSURE BECAUSE

They have more hand-to-mouth activity than adults.

They absorb more lead than adults. 

Many factors can affect the absorption, distribution, and toxicity of lead. Children are more exposed to lead than 

older groups because their normal hand-to-mouth activities may introduce many nonfood items into their 

gastrointestinal tract (Lin-Fu, 1973). The efficiency of gastrointestinal absorption of lead in food and beverages in 

children has been estimated to be around 40% (Ziegler et al., 1978). From experimental studies, gastrointestinal 

absorption of lead from nonfood sources is decreased in the presence of food (Rabinowitz, 1980). Efficiency of 

absorption is probably also affected by the particle size and form of lead (Barltrop and Meek, 1979). Deficiencies in 

iron, calcium, protein, and zinc are related to increased blood lead levels and perhaps increased vulnerability to the 

adverse effects of lead (Mahaffey, 1981; Mahaffey and Michaelson, 1980). 

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN THE UNITED STATES

Large numbers of children continue to have blood lead levels high enough to cause adverse effects. 

Substantial progress has been made, however, in reducing blood lead levels in the United States. 

Lead-based paint remains the major source of high-dose lead poisoning in the United States. 

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry estimated that in 1984, 17% of all American preschool 

children had blood lead levels that exceed 15 ug/dL (ATSDR, 1988). Although all children are at risk for lead 

toxicity, poor and minority children are disproportionately affected. Lead exposure is at once a by-product of 

poverty and a contributor to the cycle that perpetuates and deepens the state of being poor. 

Substantial progress has been made in reducing blood lead levels in U.S. children. Perhaps the most important 

advance has been the virtual elimination of lead from gasoline. Close correlations have been demonstrated between 

the decline in the use of leaded gasoline and declines in the blood lead levels of children and adults between 1976 

and 1980 (Anastate, 1983)(Figure 2 5 ). Levels of lead in food have also declined significantly, as a result both of 

the decreased use of lead solder in cans and the decreasing air lead levels. 

Lead-based paint remains the major source of high-dose lead poisoning in the United States. Although the 

Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) limited the lead content of new residential paint starting in 1978, 

millions of houses still contain old leaded paint. The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that 

about 3.8 million homes with young children living in them have either nonintact lead- based paint or high levels of 

lead in dust (HUD 1990). 

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REFERENCES

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toxicity. Atlanta: ATSDR, 1990. 

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in the United States: a report to Congress. Atlanta: ATSDR, 1988. 

Annest JL. Trends in the blood lead levels of the US population. In: Rutter M, Jones RR, editors. Lead versus 

health. Chichester and New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1983:33-58. 

Barltrop D, Meek F. Effect of particle size on lead absorption from the gut. Arch Environ Health-5. 

Bellinger D, Leviton A, Waternaux C, Needleman H, Rabinowitz M. Longitudinal analyses of prenatal and 

Postnatal lead exposure and early cognitive development. N Engl J Med 1987;316:1037-43. 

Bellinger D, Sloman J, Leviton A, Rabinowitz M, Needleman H, Waternaux C. Low-level exposure and children's 

cognitive function in the preschool years. Pediatrics 1991;87:219-27. 

Bergomi M, Borella P, Fantuzzi G, Vivoli G, Sturloni N, Cavazzuti G, Tampieri A, Tartoni PL. Relationship 

between lead exposure indicators and neuropyschological performance in children. Dev Med Child Neurol 

1989;31:181-90. 

Bhattacharya A, Shulka R, Bornshein R, Dietrich K, Kopke J. Postural disequilibrium quantification in children 

with chronic lead exposure: a pilot study. Neurotoxicology 1988;9:327-40. 

Bornschein RL, Succop PA, Krafft KM, Clark CS, Peace B, Hammond PB. Exterior surface dust lead, interior 

house dust lead and childhood lead exposure in an urban environment. In: Hemphill DD, ed. Trace substances in 

environmental health. Columbia (MO): University of Missouri, 1986:322-32. 

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Disease Control. Atlanta: CDC, 1985; CDC report no. 99-2230. 

Chisolm JJ, Harrison HE. The exposure of children to lead. Pediatrics 1956;18:934-55. 

Davis JM, Svendsgaard DJ. Lead and child development. Nature 1987; 329:297-300. 

Dietrich KN, Krafft KM, Bornshein RL, Hammond PB, Berger 0, Succop PA, Bier M. Low-level fetal lead 

exposure effect on neurobehavioral development in early infancy. Pediatrics 1987;80:721-30. 

Dietrich KN, Succop PA, Berger 0, Hammond P, Bornschin RL. Lead exposure and cognitive development of 

urban preschool children: the Cincinnati lead study cohort at age 4 years. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 

1991;13:203-11. 

Ernhart CB, Wolf AW, Kennard MJ, Erhard P, Filipovich HF, Sokol RJ. Intrauterine exposure to low levels of lead: 

the status of the neonate. Arch Environ Health 1986;41:287-91. 

Fergusson DM, Fergussen JE, Horwood LJ, Kinzett NG. A longitudinal study of dentine lead levels, intelligence, 

school performance, and behavior Part II: dentine lead and cognitive ability. J Child Psych Pyschiat 1988;29:793-

809. 

Fulton M, Raab G, Thompson G, Laxen D, Hunter R, Hepburn W. Influence of blood lead on the ability and the 

attainment of children in Edinburgh. Lancet 1987;i:1221-6. 

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Hansen ON, Trillingsgaard A, Beese I, Lyngbye T, Grandjean P. A neuropsychological study of children with 

elevated dentine lead level: assessment of the effect of lead in different socio-economic groups. Neurotoxicology 

and Teratology 1989;11:205-13. 

Hatzakis A, Kokkevi A, Maravelias C, Katsouyanni K, Salaminios F, Kalandidi A, Koutselinis A, Stefanis C, 

Trichopoulos D. Pyschometric intelligence deficits in lead-exposed children. In: Smith M, Grant L, Sors A, editors. 

Lead exposure and child development: an international assessment. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 

1989:211-23. 

Hawk BA, Schroeder SR, Robinson G, Otto D, Mushak P, Kleinbaum D, Dawson G. Relation of lead and social 

factors to IQ of low-SES children: a partial replication. Am J Ment Def 1986;91:178-83. 

HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). Comprehensive and workable plan for the abatement 

of lead-based paint in privately owned housing: report to Congress. Washington (DC): HUD, 1990. 

Lansdown R, Yule W, Urbanowicz MA, Hunter J. The relationship between blood-level concentrations, 

intelligence, attainment and behaviour in a school population: the second study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 

1986;57:225-35. 

Lin-Fu JS. Vulnerability of children to lead exposure and toxicity: Part one. N Engl J Med 1973; 289:1229-33. 

Lyngbye T, Hansen ON, Trillingsgaard A, Beese I, Grandjean P. Learning disabilities in children: significance of 

low-level lead exposure and confounding effects. Acta Pediatr Scand 1990;79:352-60. 

Mahaffey KR. Nutritional factors in lead poisoning. Nutr Rev 1981; 39:353-62. 

Mahaffey KR, Michaelson IA. The interaction between lead and nutrition. In: Needleman HL, editor. Low level 

lead exposure: the clinical implications of current research. New York (NY): Raven Press, 1980:159-200. 

McMichael AJ, Baghurst PA, Wigg NR, Vimpani GV, Robertson EF, Roberts RJ. Port Pirie cohort study: 

environmental exposure to lead and children's abilities at four years. N Engl J Med 1988;319:468-75. 

Mushak P, Davis JM, Crochetti AF, Grant LD. Prenatal and postnatal effects of low level lead exposure: integrated 

summary of a report to the U.S. Congress on childhood lead poisoning. Environ Res 1989; 50: 11-36. 

Needleman HL, Gatsonis CA. Low-level lead exposure and the IQ of children. JAMA 1990:263:673-8. 

Needleman HL, Gunnoe C, Leviton A, Reed R, Peresie H, Maher C, Barret P. Deficits in psychologic and 

classroom performance of children with elevated de} tine lead levels. N Engl J Med 1979:300:689-95. 

Needleman HL, Schell A, Bellinger D, Leviton A, Allred EN. The long- term effects of exposure to low doses of 

lead in childhood: an 11- year follow-up report. N Engl J Med 1990;322:83-8. 

Rabinowitz MB, Kopple JD, Wetherill GW. Effect of food intake and fasting on gastrointestinal lead absorption in 

humans. Am J Clin Nutrition 1980;33 1784-8. 

Schroeder SR, Hawk B, Otto DA, Mushak P, Hicks RE. Separating the effects of lead and social factors on IQ. 

Environ Res 1985;38:144- 54. 

Schwartz J, Angle C, Pitcher H. Relationship between childhood blood lead levels and stature. Pediatrics 

1986;77:281-8. 

Schwartz J, Otto D. Blood lead, hearing thresholds, and neurobehavioral development in children and youth. Arch 

Environ Health 1987;42:153- 60. 

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Shukla R, Bornschein RL, Dietrich KN, Buncher CR, Berger OG, Hammond PB, Succop PA. Fetal and infant lead 

exposure: effects on growth in stature. Pediatrics 1989;84:604-12. 

Silva PA, Hughes P, Williams S, Faed JM. Blood lead, intelligence, reading attainment, and behaviour in eleven 

year old children in Dunedin, New Zealand. J Child Psych Psychiat 1988;29:43-52. 

Winneke G, Brockhaus A, Ewers U, Kramer U, Neuf M. Results from European multi center study on lead 

neurotoxicity in children: implications for risk assessment. Neurotoxicity and Teratology 1990; 12:553 9 

Yule W, Lansdown R, Miller I, Urbanowicz M. The relationship between blood lead concentrations, intelligence, 

and attainment in a school population: a pilot study. Dev Med Child Neurol 1981;23:567-76. 

Ziegler EE, Edwards BB, Jensen RL, Mahaffey KR, Fomon SJ. Absorption and retention of lead by infants. 

Pediatric Research 1978;12:29-34. 

CHAPTER 3. SOURCES AND PATHWAYS OF LEAD EXPOSURE

SOURCES AND PATHWAYS OF LEAD EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN INCLUDE: 

Lead-based paint. 

Soil and dust. 

Drinking water. 

Parental occupations and hobbies. 

Air. 

Food. 

For some children, other sources and pathways, such as "traditional" medicines, may be critical. 

INTRODUCTION

A child's environment is full of lead. Children are exposed to lead from different sources (such as paint, gasoline, 

and solder) and through different pathways (such as air, food, water, dust, and soil). Although all U.S. children are 

exposed to some lead from food, air, dust, and soil, some children are exposed to high dose sources of lead. Leadbased paint is the most widespread and dangerous high- dose source of lead exposure for preschool children. 

Lead entering the body from different sources and through different pathways presents a combined toxicological 

threat (ATSDR, 1988). Multiple, low-level inputs of lead can result in significant aggregate exposure. Indeed, for 

children with lower (but still elevated) blood lead levels (for example, in the range of 10-20 ug/dL) identifying a 

single, predominant environmental source or pathway is not always possible. 

This chapter describes the most important sources and pathways for childhood lead exposure. Information about the 

levels or concentrations of concern in different pathways is based on information assembled by regulatory agencies 

and other published data. Nothing in this chapter should be interpreted as suggesting standards for acceptable or 

unacceptable levels or concentrations of lead in different environmental media. 

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LEAD-BASED PAINT

LEAD-BASED PAINT IS THE MOST COMMON HIGH-DOSE SOURCE OF LEAD EXPOSURE FOR 

CHILDREN. 

ABOUT 74% OF PRIVATELY OWNED, OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS IN THE UNITED STATES BUILT 

BEFORE 1980 CONTAIN LEAD-BASED PAINT. 

CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO LEAD WHEN THEY INGEST CHIPS OF LEAD-BASED PAINT OR INGEST 

PAINT-CONTAMINATED DUST AND SOIL. 

MANY CASES OF LEAD POISONING RESULT WHEN HOMES CONTAINING LEAD-BASED PAINT ARE 

REMODELED OR RENOVATED WITHOUT PRECAUTIONS BEING TAKEN. 

REMOVING LEAD FROM HOUSING IS IMPORTANT BOTH FOR THE TREATMENT OF POISONED 

CHILDREN AND FOR THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING. 

Lead-based paint remains the most common high-dose source of lead exposure for preschool children. Lead-based 

paint (containing up to 50% lead) was in widespread use through the 1940s. Although the use and manufacture of 

interior lead-based paint declined during the 1950s and thereafter, exterior lead-based paint and lesser amounts of 

interior lead-based paint continued to be available until the mid-1970s (CEH/CAPP, 1987). (Lead-based paint 

produced after the 1940s tended to have much lower lead concentrations than lead-based paint produced earlier.) In 

1978, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture of paint containing more than 0.06% lead 

by weight on interior and exterior residential surfaces, toys, and furniture. Unfortunately, lead-based paint that is 

still available for industrial, military, and marine usage occasionally ends up being used in homes. 

Nationwide, about 3 million tons of lead remain in an estimated 57 million occupied private housing units built 

before 1980 (representing 74% of all such housing). Of particular concern are the 14 million housing units believed 

to contain lead paint in unsound condition and the 3.8 million deteriorated units occupied by young children (HUD, 

1990). 

Pica, the repeated ingestion of nonfood substances, has been implicated in cases of lead poisoning; however, a child 

does not have to eat paint chips to become poisoned. More commonly, children ingest dust and soil contaminated 

with lead from paint which flaked or chalked as it aged or which has been disturbed during home maintenance or 

renovation. This lead-contaminated house dust, ingested via normal repetitive hand-to-mouth activity, is now 

recognized as a major contributor to the total body burden of lead in children (Bornschein et al., 1986). Because of 

the critical role of dust as an exposure pathway, children living in sub-standard housing and in homes undergoing 

renovation are at particular risk for lead poisoning. 

Numerous studies have established that the risk of lead poisoning is related to the presence of lead-based paint and 

to the condition of such paint (ATSDR, 1988; EPA, 1986). Children who live in rehabilitated lead-free housing or 

who return to lead-reduced housing after undergoing medical treatment have significantly lower blood levels than 

children living in similar, nonrehabilitated housing (Bornschein et al., 1986; Chisolm et al., 1985). Data from 

several urban lead poisoning prevention programs indicate that deleading the home of a poisoned child can reduce 

blood lead levels substantially (Rosen et al., in press; Amitai et al., in press; G. Copley, unpublished data). 

Deleading or lead paint abatement can be an effective method of reducing children's exposure to dangerous levels of 

lead in paint and house dust if properly done (Farfel and Chisolm, in press), but may actually increase dust lead 

levels if not done properly (Farfel and Chisolm, 1990). 

Lead paint is typically found on kitchen and bathroom walls and throughout pre-1950 homes on doors, windows, 

and wooden trim. The risks of lead poisoning are greater when lead paint or the underlying surface are in 

deteriorated condition and when lead paint (even intact paint) is located on surfaces accessible to children (EPA, 

1986). Lead paint on interior and exterior window components is particularly of concern because it is abraded into 

dust by the repeated opening and closing of these windows (Farfel and Chisolm, 1990). 

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Many cases of childhood lead poisoning that result from renovation or remodeling of homes have been reported 

(Marino, 1990). Before older homes undergo any renovation that may generate dust, they should be tested for the 

presence of lead-based paint. If such paint is found, contractors experienced in working with lead-based paint 

should do the renovations. 

There is no uniform standard for safe or allowable amounts of lead in existing painted surfaces. States and the 

federal government use values ranging from 0.7-1.2 mg/cm2 of wall when lead is measured using a portable x-ray 

fluorescence analyzer (XRF) or a standard of 0.5% lead by weight when tests are performed using laboratory 

analysis. These regulatory limits are based mostly on practical, not health, considerations. 

Lead paint also continues to be used on the exterior of painted steel structures, such as bridges and expressways. In 

addition to the obvious risk to workers, increased lead absorption has been reported in children exposed to chips or 

dust during the deleading or maintenance of such structures (Landrigan et al., 1982). 

Deleading, even when performed in the homes of children who have already been poisoned, is an important method 

of primary lead poisoning prevention because it reduces or removes the lead hazard from that housing unit for all 

future occupants. Methods for the safe abatement of residential lead paint are detailed in Chapter 8. The Department 

of Housing and Urban Development has primary responsibility for issues related to lead-based paint in housing. 

SOIL AND DUST

Soil and dust act as pathways to children for lead deposited from paint, gasoline, and industrial sources. 

The long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness of different measures to reduce lead levels in soil need to be 

evaluated. 

Reduction of dust lead is important both as part of deleading and as a means of interim risk reduction. 

Soil and dust act as pathways to children for lead deposited by primary lead sources such as lead paint, leaded 

gasoline, and industrial or occupational sources of lead. Since lead does not dissipate, biodegrade, or decay, the lead 

deposited into dust and soil becomes a long-term source of lead exposure for children. For example, although lead 

emissions from gasoline have largely been eliminated, an estimated 4-5 million metric tons of lead used in gasoline 

remain in dust and soil, and children continue to be exposed to it (ATSDR, 1988). 

Because lead is immobilized by the organic component of soil, lead deposited from the air is generally retained in 

the upper 2-5 centimeters of undisturbed soil (EPA, 1986). Urban soils and other soils that are disturbed or turned 

under may be contaminated down to far greater depths. Soil lead levels within 25 meters of roadways are typically 

30-2,000 parts per million (ppm) higher than natural levels, with some roadside soils having concentrations as high 

as 10,000 ppm. Soils adjacent to houses painted with exterior lead paints may also have lead levels above 10,000 

ppm. Measured lead levels in soil adjacent to smelters range as high as 60,000 ppm (EPA, 1986). 

As part of normal play and hand-to-mouth exploratory activities, young children may inhale or ingest lead from soil 

or dust. Ingestion of dust and soil during meals and playtime activity appears to be a more significant pathway than 

inhalation for young children (EPA, 1986). 

Different investigators have found widely varying relationships between levels of lead in soil and dust and 

children's blood lead levels. Blood lead levels generally rise 3-7 ug/dL for every 1,000-ppm increase in soil or dust 

lead concentrations (EPA, 1986; Bornschein et al., 1986; ATSDR, 1988). Particle size and the chemical form of 

lead may affect the bioavailability of lead in soil and dust; access to soil, behavior patterns, presence of ground 

cover, and a variety of other factors also influence this relationship (Barltop and Meek, 1979). 

Even if ongoing deposition of lead into soil and dust is eventually halted, measures will have to be taken to reduce 

exposures from lead- contaminated soils and dusts. Until data demonstrating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of 

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permanent soil and dust abatement measures are available, interim risk reduction steps will be needed in some 

places. Dust control via wet mopping and frequent hand washing has been shown to reduce the blood lead levels of 

children with high blood lead levels (Charney et al., 1983), but this is not a permanent solution so long as the source 

of the lead in the dust remains. For urban and smelter communities, where outdoor soil can be a major source of 

lead in house dust (Diemel et al., 1981; Yankel et al., 1977), indoor dust abatement may not be effective unless 

abatement of soil lead is also conducted. Soil abatement may consist of either establishing an effective barrier 

between children and the soil or the removal and replacement of at least the top few centimeters of soil. Grass 

cover, if properly maintained, may be an effective means of limiting exposure to dusts originating from leadcontaminated soil (Jenkins et al., 1988). 

DRINKING WATER

CONTAMINATION OF DRINKING WATER WITH LEAD USUALLY OCCURS IN THE DISTRIBUTION 

SYSTEM. 

SEVERAL PROPERTIES OF WATER AND ITS PATTERN OF USE AFFECT HOW MUCH LEAD 

CONTAMINATION RESULTS FROM A PARTICULAR WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. 

SOME PRACTICAL MEASURES CAN LOWER THE LEAD CONTENT OF DRINKING WATER. 

Lead levels are typically low in ground and surface water, but may increase once the water enters the water 

distribution system. Contamination of drinking water can occur at five points in or near the residential, school, 

public, or office plumbing, including: 1) lead connectors (that is, goose necks or pigtails), 2) lead service lines or 

pipes, 3) lead-soldered joints in copper plumbing throughout the building, 4) lead-containing water fountains and 

coolers, and 5) lead-containing brass faucets and other fixtures. The 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments 

banned the use of lead in public drinking water distribution systems and limited the lead content of brass used for 

plumbing to 8%. 

Several properties of water and its patterns of use affect the extent of lead contamination that results from a 

particular water delivery system. These factors include: 1) the corrosiveness of water (that is, pH, alkalinity, and 

mineral content), 2) age of the lead-soldered joints and other lead components (the newer ones often pose a higher 

risk), 3) quantity and surface area of lead materials, and 4) standing time and temperature of water in contact with 

leaded surfaces. 

Typically, lead pipes are found in residences built before the 1920s, with the oldest cities having the most frequent 

use of lead pipes. Pipes made of copper and soldered with lead came into general use in the 1950s. Overall, lead 

leaching from copper pipes with lead- soldered joints represents the major source of water contamination in homes 

and public facilities such as schools. 

In some areas of the United States (for example, Pennsylvania), cisterns are used to store water, especially rain 

water that may be acidic. Cisterns also can be roof-collection systems, which are common in some island areas (for 

example, Hawaii, the Florida Keys). When lead solder is used either in the construction of these cisterns or to repair 

leaks, or the cistern has a lead liner, the potential for lead contamination of the water is substantial. If the water has 

a relatively low pH, has low concentrations of cations such as Ca++ or Mg+ + (that is, "soft" water), or has an 

elevated organic content, the water is probably aggressive in dissolving lead from the cistern. Corrosion control 

may be effective in reducing water lead levels in the case of corrosive water. 

Lead in drinking water is probably absorbed more completely than lead in food. Adults absorb 35%-50% of the lead 

they drink, and the absorption rate for children may be greater than 60% (ATSDR, 1988). 

In general, lead in drinking water is not the predominant source for poisoned children. In some circumstances, 

however, lead exposures from water are unusually high. Some water cooler-fountains have been found to have leadsoldered or lead-lined tanks. Patterns of intermittent water use from these fountains results in the water standing in 

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the tanks longer than in typical residential situations, which can increase the amount of lead that is leached from the 

tanks. Several babies have been poisoned when hot tap water, which was then boiled (resulting in concentrating the 

lead), was used to make baby formula (J. Graef, personal communication). 

Practical measures to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water include using fully-flushed water for drinking and 

cooking and always drawing water for ingestion from the cold water tap. The effectiveness of many point-of-use 

devices (treatment devices that are installed at the tap) in reducing lead in water varies and may be affected by the 

location of the device in relation to the lead source and by compliance with manufacturer's use and maintenance 

instructions. Some, like reverse osmosis and distillation units, may be effective. Carbon, sand, and cartridge filters 

do not remove lead. 

The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the permissible lead content of water. 

OCCUPATIONS AND HOBBIES

CHILDREN MAY BE EXPOSED TO HIGH LEAD LEVELS WHEN WORKERS TAKE HOME LEAD ON 

THEIR CLOTHING OR WHEN THEY BRING SCRAP OR WASTE MATERIAL HOME FROM WORK. 

HOBBYISTS MAY ALSO INADVERTENTLY EXPOSE THEIR FAMILIES TO LEAD. 

THE CURRENT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION STANDARDS MAY NOT 

ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE HEALTH OF WORKERS. 

A variety of work and hobby environments expose people to lead and may result in lead exposures for their 

families. Occupations frequently reported to have resulted in adult lead poisoning are shown in Table 3 1. Many 

potential hazardous activities, like furniture refinishing and making stained glass, may be either hobbies or 

occupations. Other activities that may be associated with lead exposure include using indoor firing ranges, doing 

home repairs and remodeling, and making pottery. "Take-home" exposures may result when workers wear their 

work clothes home or launder them with the family laundry or when they bring scrap or waste material home from 

work (Grandjean and Bach, 1986). 

Strict compliance by industrial operations with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSSA) General 

Industry Lead Standard governing lead exposures (29 CAR 1910.1026) would greatly reduce both occupational lead 

exposure and the associated indirect exposures in the homes of these workers. Unfortunately, not all occupational 

settings are covered by this regulation. Workers in construction including lead abatement workers -- are excluded 

from coverage under the General Industry Lead Standard; they are covered under a much weaker construction 

standard. Numerous workers in these work environments have been excessively exposed to lead, with construction 

workers particularly having a high risk of very high blood lead levels (Maizlish et al., 1990). Compliance with the 

OSSA comprehensive lead standard is inadequate (Landrigan, 1990; Maizlish, et al., 1990) even by those industries 

required to be in compliance. Furthermore, the current OSSA standard may not adequately protect the health of 

workers (Landrigan, 1990). OSSA plans to revise its standard within the next several years. 

AIRBORNE LEAD

ALTHOUGH LEAD USE IN GASOLINE HAS BEEN MARKEDLY REDUCED, PREVIOUS USE HAS 

RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD CONTAMINATION OF SOIL AND DUST. 

EXCEPT AROUND POINT SOURCES, AIRBORNE LEAD IS ONLY A MINOR EXPOSURE PATHWAY. 

Until recently, the combustion of leaded gasoline by motor vehicles was the predominant source of airborne lead in 

the United States. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the reduction of almost all lead in 

gasoline during the 1970s and 1980s, and 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act will completely prohibit the use of 

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lead as a gasoline additive beginning as early as January, 1992 and concluding no later than December 31, 1995. As 

discussed in the previous section, however, soil and dust contaminated by deposition of lead-containing particles 

can contain high concentrations of lead. 

Except around point sources, like smelters and battery manufacturing plants, inhalation of airborne lead is now a 

minor exposure pathway for individual children. Other industrial activities may also result in localized exposures to 

lead, including burning solid waste in incinerators and sandblasting or demolishing bridges and other lead- painted 

metal structures. These localized activities, however, can be important sources of high-dose exposure. 

FOOD

THE QUANTITY OF LEAD IN THE U.S. DIET HAS DECREASED MARKEDLY IN RECENT YEARS. 

IMPROPERLY FIRED CERAMIC WARE, LEADED CRYSTAL, AND LEAD-SOLDERED CANS RESULT IN 

LEAD LEACHING INTO FOODS. 

SOME FOOD-HANDLING PRACTICES CAN INCREASE THE LEAD CONTENT OF FOODS. 

During the 1980s, the quantity of lead in the U.S. diet decreased markedly. "Market basket" data from the U.S. 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), used to estimate typical lead intake, show that the average dietary lead 

intake for a 2-year-old child was about 30 ug/day in 1982, about 13 ug/day by 1985, and about 5 ug/day in the 

period 1986- 1988. This reduction was achieved through substantially restricted use of lead-soldered side-seam cans 

and the phasing out of lead as an additive in gasoline. In 1980, 47% of domestically produced food and soft drink 

cans were lead-soldered. By 1989 use of lead-soldered cans declined to 1.4% of domestically produced cans. 

Counter to this trend is the continued use of lead solder in cans of imported foods, because cans manufactured 

outside the United States typically continue to contain lead solder. 

Lead in foods comes from several sources in addition to lead solder: soil in which the plant is grown; air and rain; 

food processing (including lead leaching from some types of metal cans described above); contact with lead solder 

or ceramic vessels used to store the food; and contact with lead dusts in the home. If lead contamination is 

unusually severe, the quantity of lead in the diet will be much higher than the "Market Basket" estimates. Examples 

include imported food from countries that do not restrict the use of lead solder in cans; storage of foods packaged in 

lead-soldered cans for over a year or so, even if the can is unopened; storage of acidic foods in ceramic containers 

made with improperly applied leaded glazes; and food processed with lead- contaminated water. 

Under some circumstances, food grown in "urban gardens" may have an elevated lead content if the garden soil is 

high in lead or if there are high lead concentrations in the air or water used for irrigation. Soil conditions (for 

example, pH, phosphorus content, buffering capacity, and the amount of organic matter) and the type of plant have 

a great effect on how much lead is transferred to the plant. The amount transferred is difficult to predict because 

many factors affect lead uptake. It is recommended that the crops grown on contaminated soil be tested to determine 

their lead uptake. Such tests may be arranged through the Agriculture Extension Service, state or federal 

departments of agriculture, or private laboratories. 

Occasionally, food supplements can be seriously contaminated with lead. Examples have included various dietary 

supplements from "natural" sources, such as calcium supplements derived from animal bone sources. 

In addition, some food-handling practices in the home can increase the lead content of foods and should be avoided. 

Foods should not be stored in unopened, lead-soldered cans for over a year or so. Foods should not be stored, even 

under refrigeration, in opened cans even if the can is subsequently covered. Food should be stored only in 

containers that do not release lead (for example, glass, stainless steel, or plastic containers). If ceramic food 

containers are ever used to store food, they should be made with lead-free glazes. Leaded crystal should not be used 

to store food for prolonged periods of time and should not be used to hold baby formula or juices. 

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Lead solders should never be used to repair food containers or to construct or repair cooking utensils. High lead 

levels may be present in hot water prepared in lead-soldered tea pots. 

OTHER SOURCES

OTHER SOURCES AND PATHWAYS OF LEAD EXPOSURE 

"TRADITIONAL" MEDICINES 

COSMETICS 

CASTING AMMUNITION, FISHING WEIGHTS, OR TOY SOLDIERS 

MAKING STAINED GLASS 

MAKING POTTERY 

REFINISHING FURNITURE 

BURNING LEAD-PAINTED WOOD 

Published data, as well as anecdotal evidence from clinicians and others who work with lead-poisoned children, 

have identified a variety of other sources of concern. 

Many "non-Western" medicines (for example, greta and azarcon used to treat diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset) and 

cosmetics (for example, surma or kohl used around the eye for decorative or medicinal purposes) contain substantial 

quantities of lead and other metals. Rather than occurring as trace ingredients or trace contaminants, various lead 

compounds are used as major ingredients of traditional medicines in numerous parts of the world. "Traditional 

healers," using non- Western pharmacopeias, manufacture these products, which are often brought to recent 

immigrant groups by friends and relatives. Examples of such exposures have been reported from the Arab cultures, 

from the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, from China, and from Latin America. 

Many hobbies can result in substantial exposures to lead. For example, molten lead can be used in casting 

ammunition and making fishing weights or toy soldiers; leaded solder is used in making stained glass; leaded glazes 

and frits are used in making pottery; and artists' paints may contain lead. Furniture refinishing may also result in 

lead exposure. 

In some areas, the burning of lead-painted wood in home stoves and fireplaces is a source of lead exposure. Lead 

fumes are generated, ashes contaminate the home, and ashes are often disposed of in the back yard, resulting in 

contamination of the environment. 

FOLK REMEDIES CONTAINING LEAD INCLUDE: 

ALARCON

ALKOHL

AZARCON

BALI GOLI

CORAL

GHASARD

GRETA

LIGA

PAY-LOO-AH

RUEDA 

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SOURCES OF LEAD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING IS A PROBLEM WORLDWIDE. 

Childhood lead poisoning is a problem worldwide. In other parts of the world, however, predominant sources of 

lead are very different than in the United States. For example, leaded gasoline is still widely used in many countries 

and contributes to elevated blood lead levels, especially in urban children. Poorly glazed pottery leading to high 

food lead levels can be the most prominent source of lead in some areas, for example, in parts of Latin America. 

Point industrial sources may dramatically increase air and soil lead levels in parts of the world where environmental 

controls have not been effectively implemented, for example, in Eastern Europe. Lead contamination from cottage 

industries that recycle lead, often in backyards, is a problem in Central America and elsewhere. For children 

moving to or from the United States, an assessment of potential lead hazards requires specific knowledge of the 

country involved. 

REFERENCES

ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). The nature and extent of lead poisoning in children 

in the United States: a report to Congress. Atlanta: ATSDR, 1988. 

Amitai Y, Brown MJ, Graef JW, Cosgrove E. Effects of residential deleading on the blood lead levels of lead 

poisoned children. Pediatrics (in press). 

Barltrop D, Meek F. Effect of particle size on lead absorption from the gut. Arch Environ Health 1979;34:280-5. 

Baser ME, D Marion. A statewide case registry for surveillance of occupational heavy metals absorption. Am J 

Public Health 1990:80: 162-4. 

Bornschein RL, Succop PA, Krafft KM, Clark CS, Peace B, Hammond PB. Exterior surface dust lead, interior 

house dust lead and childhood lead exposure in an urban environment. In: Hemphill D, ed. Trace substances in 

environmental health. Columbia. (MO): University of Missouri, 1986:322-32. 

Charney E, Kessler B, Farfel M, Jackson D. Childhood lead poisoning: a controlled trial of the effect of dust-control 

measures on blood lead levels. N Engl J Med 1983;309:1089-93. 

Chisolm JJ Jr, Mellits ED, Quaskey SA. The relationship between the level of lead absorption in children and the 

age, type, and condition of housing; Environ Res 1985;38:31-45. 

CEH/CAPP (Committee on Environmental Hazards/Committee on Accident and Poison Prevention). Statement on 

childhood lead poisoning. Pediatrics 1987;79:457-65. 

Diemel JA, Brunekreef B, Boleij JS, Biersteker K, Veenstra SJ. The Arnheim Lead Study II: indoor pollution and 

indoor/outdoor relationships. Environ Res 1981;25:449-56. 

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Air quality criteria for lead. Research Triangle Park (NC): Office of 

Health and Environmental Assessment, 1986; EPA report no. EPA/600/8-83/028aF. 

Farfel MR, Chisolm JJ Jr. Health and environmental outcomes of traditional and modified practices for abatement 

of residential lead-based paint. Am J Public Health 1990;80:1240-5. 

Farfel MR, Chisolm JJ Jr. An evaluation of experimental practices for abatement of residential lead-based Paint: 

report on a pilot project. Environ Res (in press). 

Grandjean P, Bach E. Indirect exposures: the significance of bystanders at work and at home. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 

1986;47:819-24. 

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HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). Comprehensive and workable plan for the abatement of 

lead-based paint in privately owned housing: report to Congress. Washington (DC): HUD. 

Jenkins G, Murray C, Thorpe BH. Lead in soil: the Ontario situation. In: Davies BE, Wixson BG, eds. Lead in soil: 

issues and guidelines. Northwood: Science Reviews Limited, 1988:235-45. 

Landrigan PJ. Lead in the modern workplace. Am J Public Health 1990; 80:907-8. 

Landrigan PJ, Baker EL Jr, Himmelstein JS, Stein GF, Weddig JP, Straub WE. Exposure to lead from the Mystic 

River Bridge: the dilemma of deleading. N Engl J Med 1982;306:673-6. 

Maizlish N, Rudolph L, Sutton P, Jones JR, Kizer KW. Elevated blood lead in California adults, 1987: results of a 

statewide surveillance program based on laboratory reports. Am J Public Health 1990; 80: 931-4. 

Marino PE, Landrigan PJ, Graef J, Nussbaum A, Bayan G, Boch K, Boch S. A case report of lead paint poisoning 

during renovation of a Victorian farmhouse. Am J Public Health 1990;80:1183-5. 

Rosen JF, Markowitz ME, Bijur PE, et al. Sequential measurements of bone lead content by L-X-ray fluorescence 

in CaNa2 EDTA-treated lead-toxic children. Environ Health Perspect (in press). 

Yankel AJ, von Lindern IH, Walter SD. The Silver Valley Lead Study: the relationship between childhood blood 

lead levels and environmental exposure. J Air Pollution Control Organization 1977; 27:763-7. 

CHAPTER 4. THE ROLE OF THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE 

PROVIDER

THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER SHOULD: 

Provide anticipatory guidance about childhood lead poisoning and its prevention. 

Provide screening for lead poisoning following established screening schedules. 

Conduct appropriate diagnostic blood lead testing in children with symptoms or signs consistent with lead 

poisoning or pica. 

Interpret blood lead results. 

Educate parents about reducing blood lead levels. 

Coordinate with local public health officials. 

Ensure that poisoned children receive appropriate medical, environmental, and social service followup. 

Pediatric health-care providers, working as part of the public health team, must play a critical role in the prevention 

and management of childhood lead poisoning. Their roles include: 1) educating parents about key causes of 

childhood lead poisoning; 2) screening children and interpreting blood lead test results; 3) working with appropriate 

groups in the public and private sectors to make sure that poisoned children receive appropriate medical, 

environmental, and social service followup; and 4) coordinating with public health officials and others involved in 

lead-poisoning prevention activities. 

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ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE MEANS 

Teaching parents about major sources of lead and how to prevent poisoning. 

Tailoring guidance to likely hazards in the community. 

Pediatric health-care providers consider education to be an integral part of well-child care. Along with educating 

parents about nutrition and developmental stages, providers should discuss the potential hazards of lead. They 

should focus on the major preventable sources of high-dose lead poisoning-lead-based paint and take-home 

exposures from parents' occupations and hobbies. Parents should be told of the potential dangers of peeling leadbased paint, the potential hazards of renovating older homes, and the need for good work practices if their 

occupations or hobbies expose them to lead. (These sources and pathways of exposure are discussed in Chapter 3.) 

Other education should be tailored to likely exposures in the community. For example, in some communities 

parents should be warned about the potential for lead exposure from improperly fired ceramic ware and imported 

pottery. Where water lead levels are a concern, parents could be advised to use only fully-flushed water (that is, 

water that has not been standing in pipes for a prolonged time) from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, or 

preparing infant formula. 

SCREENING FOR CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING

SCREENING FOR LEAD POISONING REQUIRES 

Determining the child's risk for high-dose lead exposure by asking a few questions. 

Measuring blood lead levels in children who are at the greatest risk for high-dose lead poisoning when they are 6 

months old. 

Measuring blood lead levels in children who are at lower risk for high-dose lead exposure at 12-15 months of age. 

Conducting necessary followup blood lead testing of children. 

The recommended screening schedule is discussed in detail in Chapter 1. 

Since virtually all children are at risk for lead poisoning, universal screening is recommended, except in 

communities where large numbers or percentages of children have been screened and found not to have lead 

poisoning. (A more inexpensive and widely available blood lead test is under development.) Just as pediatric healthcare providers ask screening questions about a child's development and eating habits, providers should also ask 

questions about a child's risk for high-dose lead exposure at every visit. (It is important to ask at every visit, since 

children's exposures may change over time.) On the basis of the parents' answers to these questions, the pediatric 

provider will be able to classify most children as being at either high or low risk for high-dose exposure to lead. The 

highest risk children should be screened starting when they are 6 months old, since that is when blood lead levels 

begin to rise. Lower risk children should be screened for the first time when they are 12-15 months old. Followup 

screening schedules should be based on the pediatric health-care provider's assessment of the child's risk for highdose lead exposure and previous blood lead levels. 

DOING APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC BLOOD LEAD TESTING

Pediatric health-care providers should include lead poisoning in the differential diagnosis of a number of conditions. 

These include growth failure, developmental delays, hyperactivity, behavior disorders, hearing loss, and anemia. 

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Children with parasites may be exhibiting pica, and the pediatric health-care provider should also consider 

measuring blood lead levels in such children. 

INTERPRETATION OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

IN INTERPRETING BLOOD LEAD LEVELS, THE PROVIDER SHOULD 

Understand the scientific basis for concern. 

Understand the degree of imprecision and inaccuracy in blood lead measurements. 

Explain carefully why followup is or is not needed. 

The studies which form the basis of our concern about childhood lead poisoning are described in Chapter 2. These 

studies suggest that adverse effects of lead occur at blood lead levels at least as low as 10 ug/dL The following 

paragraphs provide guidance on what might be told to a parent, depending on the blood lead levels of the child. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL < 10 UG/DL. A blood lead level < 10 ug/dL is not considered to be indicative of lead 

poisoning. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 10-14 UG/DL. Children with blood lead levels in this range are in a border zone. Since the 

laboratory tests for measuring blood lead levels are not as accurate and precise as we would like them to be at these 

levels, many of these children's blood lead levels may, in fact, be <10 ug/dL Although a detailed environmental 

history should be taken since an obvious remediable source of lead may be found, it is unlikely that there is a single 

predominant source of lead exposure for most of these children. Thus, a full home inspection is not recommended. 

It is however, prudent to try and decrease exposure to lead with some simple instructions. (The required education 

can be done face-to-face or by distributing brochures or other written materials.) In addition, these children should 

receive followup blood lead testing in about 3 months. The adverse effects of blood lead levels of 10-14 ug/dL are 

subtle and are not likely to be recognizable or measurable in the individual child. It is important to make sure that 

these children's blood lead levels do not go up. 

EXAMPLE: Johnny was a 12 month old child without any risk factors for high-dose exposure. A capillary blood 

lead test was performed, and his blood lead level was 14 ug/dL His pediatrician told his mother that Johnny's blood 

lead test was in a kind of "border" zone, but that it was high enough to require careful followup. The pediatrician 

explained that laboratory test results have some inaccuracy and imprecision, but, nevertheless, suggested some 

housekeeping and nutritional interventions to reduce Johnny's exposure. Johnny had a venous blood lead 

measurement three months later, which was 7 ug/dL Three months after that, when Johnny was 18 months old, his 

blood lead level was 5 ug/dL His blood lead level was measured one year later and was 5 ug/dL and he received no 

further followup. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 15-19 UG/DL. Children with venous blood lead levels 15-19 ug/dL need more careful 

followup up. The pediatric health- care provider should take a careful history, about sources of lead exposure 

(Chapter 3). Parents should receive guidance about interventions to reduce blood lead levels (Educating Parents 

about Reducing Blood Lead Levels). Children with blood lead levels in this range are at risk for decreases in IQ of 

up to several IQ points and other subtle effects. The effects of lead at these levels are significant enough that the 

health-care provider should emphasize to parents the importance of followup screening to make sure the levels do 

not increase. The provider should also discuss interventions to reduce the blood lead levels. In addition, these 

children should receive followup testing (Chapter 6). If their blood lead levels persist at greater than or equal to 15 

ug/dL, environmental investigation and remediation should be completed, if resources permit. In some 

communities, childhood lead poisoning prevention programs may be able to manage the environmental 

investigation and remediation. 

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BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 20-69 UG/DL. Children with venous blood lead levels in this range should have a full 

medical evaluation (Chapter 7). This includes a detailed environmental and behavioral history (asking about reading 

or other learning disabilities, language development, pica, etc.), a physical examination, and tests for iron 

deficiency. Particularly for children needing urgent medical followup (that is, blood lead level greater than or equal 

to 45 ug/dL), pediatric health- care providers with limited experience in treating lead poisoning should consider 

referring such children to a clinic with experience in managing childhood lead poisoning. These children should 

also have complete environmental investigations so that lead hazards can be reduced. The local public childhood 

lead poisoning prevention programs will often work as a team with the pediatric health-care provider and the child's 

family to ensure appropriate environmental followup. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 70 UG/DL. Children with blood lead levels this high 

constitute a medical emergency that preferably should be managed by someone with experience in treating children 

who are critically ill with lead poisoning. Medical and environmental management must begin immediately 

(Chapter 7 and Chapter 8). 

EDUCATING PARENTS ABOUT REDUCING BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO REDUCE BLOOD LEAD LEVELS? 

Housekeeping interventions to reduce exposure to dust. 

Interventions to reduce exposure to other sources of lead. 

Attention to nutrition. 

There are many interventions parents can use to help reduce blood lead levels. These interventions are not a 

substitute for lead hazard abatement. 

HOUSEKEEPING INTERVENTIONS

Particularly in older homes, which may have been painted with lead- based paint, interventions to reduce exposure 

to dust may help reduce blood lead levels. These include: 

• Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based 

paint. Pay special attention to windows and window sills and wells. 

• If the house was built before about 1960 and has hard surface floors, wet mop them at least once a week with 

a high phosphate solution (for example, 5-8% phosphates). (The phosphate content of automatic dish washing 

detergents and other cleaning substances is often listed on the label and may be high enough for this purpose. 

Otherwise, trisodium phosphate can be purchased in hardware stores.) Other hard surfaces (such as window 

sills and baseboards) should also be wiped with a similar solution. Do not vacuum hard surface floors or 

window sills or wells, since this will disperse dust. Vacuum cleaners with agitators remove dust from rugs 

more effectively than vacuum cleaners with suction only. 

• Wash your child's hands and face before he/she eats. 

• Wash toys and pacifiers frequently. 

OTHER INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LEAD

• If soil around the home is or is likely to be contaminated with lead (for example, if the home was built before 

1960 or the house is near a major highway), plant grass or other ground cover. Since the highest 

concentrations of lead in a yard tend to be near surfaces that were once painted with lead paint, like exterior 

walls, if exterior lead paint was likely to be used, plant bushes around the outside of sour house so sour child 

cannot play there. 

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• In areas where the lead content of water exceeds the drinking water standard, use only fully flushed water 

from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and making formula. In communities where water conservation 

is a concern, use the first-flush water for other purposes. 

• Do not store food in open cans, particularly if the cans are imported. 

• Do not use pottery or ceramic ware that was inadequately fired or is meant for decorative use for food storage 

or service. 

• Make sure that take-home exposures are not occurring from parental occupations or hobbies (Chapter 3). 

NUTRITION

• Make sure your child eats regular meals, since more lead is absorbed on an empty stomach. 

• Make sure your child's diet contains plenty of iron and calcium. 

EXAMPLES OF SOURCES OF IRON AND CALCIUM 

IRON 

Liver

Fortified cereal

Cooked legumes

Spinach 

CALCIUM 

Milk

Yogurt

Cheese

Cooked greens 

COORDINATING WITH PUBLIC SECTOR OFFICIALS

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SHOULD TELL THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER ABOUT 

The magnitude of the childhood lead poisoning problem in the provider's community. 

Unusual sources of lead exposure in the provider's community. 

Public sector services that can be used to ensure appropriate followup for poisoned children. 

Interventions being conducted through public sector actions for children with lead poisoning. 

PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS SHOULD NOTIFY PUBLIC SECTOR OFFICIALS ABOUT 

Poisoned children they identify. 

Unusual sources or pathways of exposure they identify. 

The responsibilities of public sector officials are described in Chapter 5. These officials are an important source of 

information for the pediatric health-care provider. They can alert the provider to the extent of the lead poisoning 

problem in the provider's catchment area. They can provide information about particular lead sources that may be of 

concern in a given neighborhood. Often these officials can assist in the management of the lead-poisoned child, 

doing followup screening, conducting environmental investigations, and ensuring lead hazards are abated. They 

should keep the provider informed of actions they take on the child's behalf. The pediatric health-care provider is 

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responsible for informing public health officials about lead-poisoned children, reporting any unusual sources or 

pathways of exposure, and reporting elevated blood lead levels, if this is required. 

APPROPRIATE FOLLOWUP

APPROPRIATE FOLLOWUP INCLUDES: 

Education. 

Followup blood lead testing. 

Medical evaluation, if appropriate. 

Pharmacologic treatment, if appropriate. 

Environmental investigation, if appropriate. 

Referral to infant stimulation or child development programs, if appropriate. 

Referral for social services. 

Not all aspects of a poisoned child's followup will be managed by the pediatric health-care provider, although the 

provider is an important part of the team. Through his or her interactions with the child and family and the 

responsible public health agency, the provider should make sure that any appropriate interventions are occurring. 

The provider should make sure that the family receives education about childhood lead poisoning and ways of 

preventing it, and he or she should make sure that the child receives the appropriate followup blood lead testing. If 

the child needs a medical evaluation (for a blood lead level greater than or equal to 20 ug/dL) or pharmacologic 

treatment (Chapter 7), either the provider should do it or should refer the child to a place that treats large numbers 

of poisoned children. The provider should make sure that the child receives an appropriate environmental 

investigation and remediation with the help of the public health agencies. Particularly if the child is 

developmentally delayed, the provider should refer the child to an appropriate infant stimulation or child 

development program. In many cases, lead-poisoned children and their families will also benefit from social 

services followup. 

CHAPTER 5. THE ROLE OF STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC 

AGENCIES

A variety of local, state and federal agencies play a role in preventing childhood lead poisoning. Pediatric healthcare providers and parents should know about what these agencies do so that they can use these resources 

effectively. In turn, these agencies must coordinate their activities to ensure that all aspects of childhood lead 

poisoning prevention-health, housing, and environment being addressed, and to provide the most comprehensive 

and cost effective services to at-risk children, their parents, and their health-care providers. 

Government operations vary widely from state to state. In some states, city or local government takes the leading 

role in providing public health services such as lead poisoning prevention. In other states, county or state agencies 

take the lead role. Similarly, housing and environmental agencies with responsibility for addressing lead hazards 

may exist at the local, county, or state level. 

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PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES

THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY SHOULD: 

Ensure that necessary screening services are provided. 

Analyze surveillance and other data to identify exposure patterns and high-risk populations. 

Develop and implement a primary prevention plan that focuses on the highest risk sources and populations. 

Coordinate prevention activities with other pertinent health, housing, and environmental agencies. 

Ensure that medical and environmental followup services for poisoned children are provided. 

In most cities and some towns, counties, and states, lead poisoning prevention programs are included within the 

public health department or agency. Traditionally, these programs have focused on screening for lead poisoning and 

ensuring medical or environmental followup for children identified as being poisoned. Many also undertake public 

education activities, but, historically, lack of resources has limited these agencies' ability to focus on primary 

prevention. 

A comprehensive, multifaceted approach to preventing childhood lead poisoning would include screening and 

surveillance, risk identification, primary prevention activities, interagency coordination, and services for poisoned 

children. 

SCREENING

As explained in Chapter 6, screening children for lead poisoning is important both to identify poisoned children and 

to provide data that can be used to target community wide interventions. Public health agencies should have the 

primary responsibility for ensuring that children receive necessary blood lead screening. While it is not realistic for 

public agencies to actually perform most of the required screening, these agencies must work with individual and 

institutional pediatric health care providers to ensure that the private sector provides as much screening as possible. 

Screening by public agencies should focus on children who would not otherwise receive it in the private sector. 

SURVEILLANCE AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Before a public health agency can design and implement a primary prevention plan, the agency must assess the 

sources of lead in the community, exposure patterns, and high-risk populations. The lead public health agency 

should generally take responsibility for the types of risk assessment activities described in Chapter 9, soliciting 

cooperation and assistance from housing and environmental agencies when appropriate. As explained in Chapter 9, 

blood lead screening provides data for assessing the extent and nature of a given community's lead problem. Public 

health agencies should also take the lead in conducting or coordinating the collection of the environmental, housing, 

and demographic data needed to undertake a community-based risk assessment. 

PRIMARY PREVENTION

One of the most important themes of this document is the need to identify and remove sources of exposure to lead 

before children are harmed, that is, the need for primary prevention. Public health agencies must take a leading role 

in designing and implementing primary prevention programs. One important activity for public health agencies is to 

use the data collected from screening and surveillance to develop a primary prevention plan designed to target 

resources to the most pervasive sources and the highest risk populations. 

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INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

Public health agencies cannot be expected to implement primary prevention activities by themselves. Many steps 

that must be taken lie within the expertise or jurisdiction of other government agencies, especially those dealing 

with housing or the environment. To prevent lead poisoning, all public agencies with a connection to this problem 

need to be enlisted in the effort. The activities of different types of agencies at different levels of government must 

be coordinated, preferably through formal arrangements under which the different agencies meet and consult. 

Public health agencies should take the lead in organizing interagency task forces or committees and in ensuring that 

all involved agencies communicate regularly. 

PROVIDING SERVICES TO POISONED CHILDREN

Public health agencies have traditionally been responsible for ensuring that lead-poisoned children receive 

appropriate medical and environmental followup, often through a formal case-management system. Until lead 

poisoning has successfully been eradicated, public health agencies will have to devote much of their lead-poisoning 

prevention resources to case management services for poisoned children. 

HOUSING AGENCIES

HOUSING AGENCIES SHOULD: 

Work with public health agencies to provide needed housing and environmental services to poisoned children. 

Enforce code requirements regarding lead hazards. 

Assist public health agencies in educating property owners, tenants, real estate professionals, and building 

contractors about lead hazards in housing. 

Use regulations and policies to increase the amount of safe and effective abatement performed. 

Most states, and some cities and counties, have agencies with the responsibility for regulating housing quality or 

developing policies to ensure that people are provided with safe and affordable housing. As the focus shifts from 

severely poisoned children to lead hazards in children's environments, the role of housing agencies will expand. A 

comprehensive, multifaceted role for housing agencies would include providing services to poisoned children; 

enforcing housing codes; educating the public; and making regulations and policies to increase the number of safe 

and effective abatements. 

ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES

ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES SHOULD: 

Participate in interagency efforts to prevent lead poisoning. 

Adopt a multimedia approach to addressing environmental lead hazards. 

Undertake monitoring, regulatory, licensing, and enforcement activities to reduce environmental exposure to lead. 

Most states, and some cities and counties, have agencies responsible for regulating exposures to toxic substances in 

the environment. Traditionally, such agencies have dealt with exposure to lead in the air, in drinking water, and in 

hazardous and solid waste, but have had little or no role in addressing the hazards associated with lead in paint. 

Some environmental agencies have begun to address the problems of toxic substances in housing, such as asbestos 

and radon, and they may also be willing to join an interagency effort to reduce exposure to lead hazards in housing. 

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A comprehensive, multifaceted role for environmental agencies would include participation in interagency efforts, 

multimedia lead hazard reduction programs, monitoring, and regulation. 

CHAPTER 6. SCREENING

SUMMARY 

SCREENING IS IMPORTANT BOTH TO ENSURE THAT POISONED CHILDREN ARE IDENTIFIED AND 

TO GENERATE DATA TO TARGET PRIMARY PREVENTION ACTIVITIES. 

VIRTUALLY ALL CHILDREN SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR LEAD POISONING. SCREENING 

CHILDREN WITH HIGH PROBABILITY OF EXPOSURE TO HIGH-DOSE SOURCES IS THE HIGHEST 

PRIORITY. 

SCREENING SHOULD BE DONE USING A BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

CHILDREN AT GREATEST RISK FOR HIGH-DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE SHOULD BE SCREENED MORE 

FREQUENTLY. 

ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATIONS AFFECT INTERPRETATION OF BLOOD LEAD TEST RESULTS, 

PARTICULARLY AT LOW LEVELS. 

Traditionally, the main purpose of a childhood lead poisoning screening program has been to identify asymptomatic 

lead-poisoned children and to intervene as quickly as possible to reduce their blood lead levels. An additional 

benefit of screening programs is that abatement of lead sources for poisoned children results in prevention of lead 

poisoning for children who would have been exposed to those sources in the future. As the focus in lead poisoning 

prevention turns more to primary prevention, an additional benefit of screening is that data generated can be used in 

targeting interventions to places with children at high risk for lead poisoning. 

SUGGESTED PRIORITIES FOR SCREENING

VIRTUALLY ALL U.S. CHILDREN ARE AT RISK FOR LEAD POISONING. 

CHILDREN AT HIGHEST RISK SHOULD BE GIVEN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR SCREENING. 

In 1984, the last year for which estimates are available, it is believed that between 3 and 4 million children younger 

than age 6 years (17% of all U.S. children in this age group) had blood lead levels above 15 ug/dL (ATSDR, 1988). 

Furthermore, about 74% of occupied, privately owned housing built before 1980 contains lead-based paint (defined 

as greater than or equal to 1 milligram per square centimeter (mg/ cm2)) (HUD, 1990). BECAUSE ALMOST ALL 

U.S. CHILDREN ARE AT RISK FOR LEAD POISONING (ALTHOUGH SOME CHILDREN ARE AT HIGHER 

RISK THAN OTHERS), OUR GOAL IS THAT ALL CHILDREN SHOULD BE SCREENED, UNLESS IT CAN 

BE SHOWN THAT THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THESE CHILDREN LIVE DOES NOT HAVE A 

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PROBLEM. (Deciding that no problem exists requires that a large number or 

percentage of children be tested. *) The full implementation of this will require the ability to measure blood lead 

levels on capillary samples and the availability of cheaper and easier-to-use methods of blood lead measurement. 

Children at highest risk for lead poisoning are the highest priority for screening. Table 6 1 provides guidance on the 

groups for which repeated screening is most strongly indicated. 

Children ages 6 to 72 months who live in or are frequent visitors to deteriorated old buildings, including day care 

centers, make up the highest priority group. Because the highest concentrations of lead in paint were used in the 

early l900s, homes built before about 1960 are of greatest concern. Children whose homes are being renovated are 

also at extremely high risk. Since siblings, house mates, visitors, and playmates of children with confirmed lead 

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poisoning may have similar exposures to lead, they also should be promptly screened. In communities with a high 

prevalence of lead poisoning, health departments should consider door-to-door screening, since many children with 

lead poisoning may be missed by fixed-site screening. 

Children with parents whose work or hobbies involve lead may also risk lead exposure (Chapter 3). Also, children 

living near lead smelters or other industries where lead is processed may be at increased risk for lead poisoning. 

In general, screening and assessment for lead poisoning should focus on children younger than 72 months of age, 

particularly on children younger than 36 months of age. Young children engage in the most hand-to-mouth activity 

(and therefore are at highest risk for lead exposure) and have the most rapidly developing nervous systems, making 

them more vulnerable to the effects of lead. Children with developmental delays, who may exhibit pica or have 

more extensive hand-to-mouth activity than other children, would be expected to be at increased risk for lead 

poisoning even if they are 72 months of age and older. These children may have to be screened more often during 

early infancy, and may require screening into their school years. 

Children who have unexplained seizures, neurological symptoms, abdominal pain, or other symptoms that are 

consistent with lead poisoning should also have their blood lead levels measured. In addition, the possibility of lead 

poisoning should be considered in any child with growth failure, developmental delay, hyperactivity, behavior 

disorders, hearing loss, anemia, etc. 

* The health departments need to take lead role in assessing whether or not a community has a childhood lead 

poisoning problem. 

SCREENING METHOD

SCREENING SHOULD BE DONE USING A BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

Since erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) is not sensitive enough to identify more than a small percentage of children 

with blood lead levels between 10 and 25 ug/dL and misses many children with blood lead levels greater than or 

equal to 25 ug/dL (McElvaine et al., 1991), measurement of blood lead levels should replace the EP test as the 

primary screening method. Unless contamination of capillary blood samples can be prevented, lead levels should be 

measured on venous samples. Obtaining capillary specimens is more feasible at many screening sites. 

Contamination of capillary specimens obtained by finger prick can be minimized if trained personnel follow proper 

technique (see Appendix I for a capillary sampling protocol). Elevated blood lead results obtained on capillary 

specimens should be considered presumptive and must be confirmed using venous blood. At the present time, not 

all laboratories will measure lead levels on capillary specimens. 

Programs will need to increase their capacity to perform blood lead testing. During the transition to the use of the 

blood lead test as the primary screening method, some programs will temporarily continue to use EP as a screening 

test. In addition, some nutrition programs (for example, the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and 

Children (WIC)) use the EP test to identify children with iron deficiency. 

For a discussion of the units used to report EP results (Page 48). All EP test results of greater than or equal to 35 

ug/dL if standardized using 241 L cm-1 mmol-1, greater than or equal to 28 ug/dL if standardized using 297 L cm-1 

mmol-1, or greater than or equal to 70 umol ZnPP/mol heme, if the hematofluorometer reports in these units, must 

be followed by a blood lead test (preferably venous) and an evaluation for iron deficiency. Work on developing 

easy-to-use, cheap, portable instruments for blood lead testing is ongoing. 

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE AND ASSESSING RISK

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE HELPS PREVENT LEAD POISONING BY EDUCATING PARENTS ON 

WAYS TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE. 

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QUESTIONS ABOUT HOUSING AND OTHER FACTORS ARE USED TO IDENTIFY WHICH CHILDREN 

ARE AT GREATEST RISK FOR HIGH-DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE. 

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE AND ASSESSMENT OF RISK SHOULD BE TAILORED TO IMPORTANT 

SOURCES AND PATHWAYS OF LEAD EXPOSURE IN THE CHILD'S COMMUNITY. 

Guidance on childhood lead poisoning prevention and assessment of the risk of lead poisoning should be part of 

routine pediatric care. Anticipatory guidance is discussed in more detail in Chapter 4. The guidance and risk 

assessment should emphasize the sources and exposures that are of greatest concern in the child's community 

(Chapter 3). Because lead-based paint has been used in housing throughout the United States, in most communities 

it will be necessary to focus on this source. 

SCREENING SCHEDULE

THE SCREENING SCHEDULE IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT CHILDREN'S BLOOD LEAD LEVELS 

INCREASE MOST RAPIDLY AT 6-12 MONTHS AND PEAK AT 18-24 MONTHS. 

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE ON PREVENTING LEAD POISONING AND ASSESSING THE RISK FOR 

HIGH-DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE SHOULD BE PART OF ROUTINE PEDIATRIC CARE. 

THE URGENCY AND TYPE OF FOLLOW-UP DEPENDS ON THE SCREENING BLOOD LEAD TEST 

RESULT. 

BACKGROUND

The rationale for the screening schedule is based on data such as those shown in Figure 6 1. Those data were 

collected in a prospective study in Cincinnati (Clark et al., 1985). Blood lead levels were measured every 3 months 

from birth onward, and illustrate the trends in blood lead concentration in relation to the child's age and housing age 

and condition. Blood lead concentrations increase steadily up to at least 18 months of age. The most rapid rate of 

increase occurs between 6 and 12 months of age. The highest blood lead levels occur in children living in 

deteriorated older housing. 

ASSESSMENT OF RISK

Table 6 2 has sample questions. Starting at 6 months of age and at each regular office visit thereafter, pediatric 

health-care providers should discuss childhood lead poisoning and assess the child's risk for high-dose exposure. 

The questions asked should be tailored to the likely sources of exposure in the community. THE QUESTIONS ARE 

NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

USING QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

IF ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE INDICATE THAT THE CHILD IS NOT AT HIGH RISK FOR 

HIGH-DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE, THE CHILD SHOULD BE SCREENED AT 12 MONTHS OF AGE, AND, IF 

RESOURCES ALLOW, AT 24 MONTHS OF AGE. 

IF ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE INDICATE THAT THE CHILD IS AT RISK FOR HIGH-DOSE 

LEAD EXPOSURE, THE CHILD SHOULD BE SCREENED STARTING AT 6 MONTHS OF AGE. 

FOR CHILDREN PREVIOUSLY AT LOW RISK, ANY HISTORY SUGGESTING THAT EXPOSURE TO 

LEAD HAS INCREASED SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UP WITH A BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

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On the basis of responses to questions such as those in Table 6 2, children can be categorized as low or high risk for 

high-dose lead exposure. If the answers to all questions are negative, the child is at low risk for high-dose lead 

exposure and should be screened by a blood lead test at 12 months and again, if possible, at 24 months (since blood 

lead levels often peak at ages greater than 12 months). If the answer to any question is positive, the child is 

potentially at high risk for high-dose lead exposure, and a blood lead test should be obtained. FOR CHILDREN 

PREVIOUSLY AT LOW RISK, ANY HISTORY SUGGESTING THAT EXPOSURE TO LEAD HAS 

INCREASED SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UP WITH A BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

EXAMPLE: A pediatrician in southern California almost exclusively serves communities built after 1988. She is 

aware, however, that some of her patients' families store juice and punch in pottery imported from Mexico. In her 

guidance to parents, she warns them that lead can leach from improperly fired pottery. At every routine visit, she 

asks parents about the use of this pottery and screens any children whose parents use this pottery. In her anticipatory 

guidance and assessment of her patients' risks of lead poisoning, she emphasizes sources of exposure that are 

common in the community she serves. 

SCREENING SCHEDULE

The following sections provide a minimum screening schedule for children aged 6 up to 36 and 36 to 72 months. 

The schedule is not rigid. Rather, it is a guide for pediatric health-care providers and screening programs to use in 

conjunction with other pertinent information in determining when an individual child should be tested. 

CHILDREN 6 UP TO 36 MONTHS OF AGE:

A questionnaire should be used at each routine office visit to assess the potential for high-dose lead exposure and, 

therefore, the appropriate frequency of screening. 

• SCHEDULE IF THE CHILD IS AT LOW RISK FOR HIGH DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE BY 

QUESTIONNAIRE: A child at low risk for exposure to high-dose lead sources by questionnaire should have 

an initial blood lead test at 12 months of age. If the 12-month blood lead result is less than 10 UG/DL, the 

child should be retested at 24 months if possible, since that is when blood lead levels peak. If a blood lead test 

result is 10 -14 UG/DL, the child should be retested every 3 to 4 months. After 2 consecutive measurements 

are less than 10 ug/dL or three are less than 15 ug/dL, the child should be retested in a year. If any blood lead 

test result is greater than or equal to 15 UG/DL, the child needs individual case management, which includes 

retesting the child at least every 3 to 4 months. 

• SCHEDULE IF THE CHILD IS AT HIGH RISK FOR HIGH DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE BY 

QUESTIONNAIRE: A child at high risk for exposure to high-dose lead sources by questionnaire should have 

an initial blood lead test at 6 months of age. If the initial blood lead result is less than 10 UG/DL, the child 

should be rescreened every 6 months. After 2 subsequent consecutive measurements are less than 10 ug/dL or 

three are less than 15 ug/dL, testing frequency can be decreased to once a year. If a blood lead test result is 

10-14 UG/DL, the child should be screened every 3 to 4 months. Once 2 subsequent consecutive 

measurements are less than 10 ug/dL or three are less than 15 ug/dL, testing frequency can be decreased to 

once a year. If any blood lead test result is greater than or equal to 15 UG/DL, the child needs individual case 

management, which includes retesting the child at least every 3 to 4 months. 

CHILDREN GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 36 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 72 MONTHS AGE:

As for younger children, a questionnaire should be used at each routine office visit of children from 36 to 72 months 

of age. Any child at high risk by questionnaire who has not previously had a blood lead test should be tested. All 

children who have had venous blood lead tests greater than or equal to 15 ug/dL or who are at high risk by 

questionnaire should be screened at least once a year until their sixth birthday (age 72 months) or later, if indicated 

(for example, a developmentally delayed child with pica). Children should also be rescreened any time history 

suggests exposure has increased. Children with blood lead levels greater than or equal to 15 ug/dL should receive 

followup as described below. 

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FOLLOWUP OF CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 15 UG/DL

Followup of children with blood lead levels greater than or equal to 15 ug/dL is discussed in more detail in later 

chapters and is briefly summarized below. In general, such children should receive blood lead tests at least every 3 

to 4 months. 

IF THE BLOOD LEAD LEVEL IS 15 -19 UG/DL, the child should be screened every 3-4 months, the family 

should be given education and nutritional counseling as described in Chapter 4, and a detailed environmental 

history should be taken to identify any obvious sources or pathways of lead exposure. When the venous blood lead 

level is in this range in two consecutive tests 3-4 months apart, environmental investigation and abatement should 

be conducted, if resources permit. 

IF THE BLOOD LEAD LEVEL IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 20 UG/DL, the child should be given a 

repeat test for confirmation. If the venous blood lead level is confirmed to be greater than or equal to 20 ug/dL, the 

child should be referred for medical evaluation and followup as described in Chapter 7. Such children should 

continue to receive blood lead tests every 3-4 months or more often if indicated. Children with blood lead levels 

greater than or equal to 45 ug/dL must receive urgent medical and environmental followup, preferably at a clinic 

with a staff experienced in dealing with this disease. Symptomatic lead poisoning or a venous blood lead 

concentration greater than or equal to 70 ug/dL is a medical emergency, requiring immediate inpatient chelation 

therapy, as described in Chapter 7. 

CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF SCREENING TEST RESULTS

On the basis of screening test results, children can be classified into categories according to their risk for adverse 

effects of lead. The urgency and type of followup are based on these risk classes. These classes are shown in Table 

6 3. 

MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

VENOUS BLOOD IS PREFERRED FOR BLOOD LEAD MEASUREMENT. 

ANALYTICAL VARIATION IN THE LABORATORY CAN AFFECT BLOOD LEAD RESULTS. 

LABORATORIES MEASURING BLOOD LEAD LEVELS SHOULD PARTICIPATE SUCCESSFULLY IN A 

BLOOD LEAD PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM. 

Several factors can influence the quality of blood lead measurements. The ubiquity of lead in the environment 

makes contamination of specimens during collection a major source of error. Analytical variation in the laboratory 

can affect results. Accuracy and precision of blood lead measurements, particularly at low concentrations, can be 

assured by the use of appropriate analytical standards, maintenance of equipment, training of personnel, and 

participation in external proficiency testing programs. 

Since blood collected by venipuncture has a low likelihood of contamination compared to blood collected by finger 

stick, venous blood is the preferred specimen for analysis and should be used for lead measurement whenever 

practicable. In addition, venous specimens provide a larger volume for analysis and are less prone to clotting and 

other problems that can be encountered with capillary specimens (DeSilva and Donnan, 1977; Mitchell et al., 1974). 

Fingerstick specimens are acceptable for blood lead screening, provided that special collection procedures are 

followed to minimize the risk of contamination. Personnel must be thoroughly trained in collection procedures. A 

procedure for collecting finger stick specimens is described in Appendix I. At the present time, not all laboratories 

will accept capillary samples for blood lead analysis. 

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Elevated blood lead results obtained on capillary specimens are presumptive and must be confirmed using venous 

blood. In general, children who have blood lead levels greater than or equal to 15 ug/dL on capillary samples should 

have these levels confirmed on venous samples, according to the timetable in Table 6 4. A child with a blood lead 

level greater than or equal to 70 ug/dL or with symptoms of lead poisoning should be treated immediately while the 

results of an immediate confirmatory test are awaited. 

ADDITIONAL ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Blood lead levels can be determined by several analytic methods. The method used can affect the specimen volume 

required, the choice of anticoagulant (usually heparin or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)), and other 

aspects related to specimen suitability. Specimen collection procedures and equipment must be checked for 

compatibility with laboratory requirements. Special lead-free evacuated tubes are available for blood collection, but 

standard tubes containing EDTA or heparin (lavender or green caps) can be acceptable after screening each lot to 

determine the lead content of the containers, needles, etc. Though reports of unsuitable levels of background lead in 

other collection materials are infrequent, all materials used should be determined to be lead-free before use. 

Several analytical techniques available can be used to make accurate blood lead measurements at levels <25 ug/dL. 

These techniques are electrochemical techniques, usually anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), and atomic 

absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Either of these techniques is capable of achieving detection limits <2 to 5 ug/dL. 

Success by these methods, however, requires careful and meticulous attention to the details of the analysis. 

The reliability of a set of blood lead measurements is greatly enhanced by the use of high quality lead standard 

solution for instrument calibration. In the United States, the National Institute of Science and Technology has made 

such a material (SRM 3121) available. In addition, a set of whole blood reference materials (SRM 955A, Lead in 

Blood) provides a useful set of control materials over a wide range of concentrations -- about 6 to 70 ug/dL. 

Laboratories where blood is tested for lead levels should be successful participants in a blood lead proficiency 

testing program, such as the program conducted jointly by CDC, the Health Resources and Services Administration, 

and the University of Wisconsin. In interpreting laboratory results, it should be recognized that a proficient 

laboratory should measure blood lead levels to within several ug/dL of the true value (for example, within 4 or 6 

ug/dL of a target value). The blood lead level reported by a laboratory, therefore, may be several ug/dL higher or 

lower than the actual blood lead level. 

Analytical variability must be considered when interpreting blood lead results. Changes in successive blood lead 

measurements on an individual can be considered significant only if the net difference of results exceeds the limit of 

analytic variance that the laboratory allows. As a general rule, trends should not be considered significant unless the 

magnitude of the change is greater than or equal to 5 ug/dL. 

The degree of analytical variability between laboratories that employ different analytic methods usually exceeds 

that within a single laboratory. Therefore, a single laboratory using one analytical method should be used to best 

compare multiple blood lead results from an individual or a population. 

ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN (EP)

EP IS NOT A SENSITIVE TEST FOR IDENTIFYING CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS BELOW 

ABOUT 25 UG/DL. 

AN EP LEVEL IS ELEVATED IF IT IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 35 UG/DL WHEN 

STANDARDIZED USING 241 L CM-1 MMOL-1, GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 28 UG/DL WHEN 

STANDARDIZED USING 297 L CM-1 MMOL-1, OR GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 70 UMOL/MOL 

WHEN MEASURED IN UMOL/MOL UNITS. ALL ELEVATED EP RESULTS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY 

A VENOUS BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

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LABORATORIES MEASURING EP LEVELS SHOULD BE SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPANTS IN AN EP 

PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM. 

INTERPRETING EP RESULTS AND FOLLOWING UP ON CHILDREN WITH HIGH EP LEVELS.

EP is not a sensitive test to identify children with blood lead levels below about 25 ug/dL, and therefore it is no 

longer the screening test of choice. Generally, EP is measured using a two-step extraction process followed by 

direct fluorometric measurement or by front-surface fluorometry (hematofluorometry). Most protoporphyrin in 

erythrocytes (about 90%) exists as zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) (Smith et al., 1980; Gotelli et al., 1980). This 

fraction is preferentially measured by hematofluorometers. Extraction methods measure all the protoporphyrin 

present, but strip the zinc from the ZnPP during the extraction process. For this reason, extraction results are 

sometimes referred to as {zinc} free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP). Although the chemical forms measured by 

the two methods differ slightly, on a weight basis they are roughly equivalent, so results reported as EP, ZnPP, or 

FEP all reflect essentially the same analyte (Stanton et al., 1989). 

In the past, an absorptivity of 241 L cm-1 mmol-1 has been used to determine EP levels. Recently, however, the 

correct absorptivity has been determined to be 297 L cm-1 mmol-1 (Gunter et al., 1989). Use of the correct 

absorptivity will result in EP values about 19% lower than those standardized using 241 L cm-1 mmol-1. 

Standardization of EP levels that are based on the correct absorptivity is expected to be widely adopted in 1992. Use 

of the correct standardization requires a change in calibration and is not simply a reduction of the screening cutoff 

value. Standardization criteria should also be considered when reviewing data in the literature. 

An EP result of greater than or equal to 35 ug/dL standardized using 241 L cm-1 mmol-1 or greater than or equal to 

28 ug/dL standardized using 297 L cm-1 mmol-1 is considered elevated. ALL ELEVATED EP RESULTS 

SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WITH A VENOUS BLOOD LEAD TEST TO DETERMINE IF LEAD POISONING 

IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ELEVATION. Elevated concentrations of EP also result from several health 

conditions other than lead intoxication, particularly iron deficiency (Reeves et al., 1984; Yip et al., 1983; Thomas et 

al., 1977). The iron status of children with elevated EP levels should always be determined, especially since iron 

deficiency and lead poisoning often coexist. In such cases, the EP may be disproportionately elevated in comparison 

to the blood lead level. 

Some hematofluorometers report EP levels as umol ZnPP/mol heme. For instruments that give results in these units, 

EP values greater than or equal to 70 umol/mol should be considered elevated and should be promptly investigated 

(Stanton et al., 1989). 

ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Only fresh blood is suitable for analysis by hematofluorometer (Blumberg et al., 1977). Complete oxygenation of 

sample hemoglobin is necessary to prevent low results in some instruments. The hemoglobin concentration in the 

sample can also affect hematofluorometer EP readings. Results obtained by extraction methods are not affected by 

these factors and can be used to confirm hematofluorometer EP results. 

As with lead data, analytical variance must be considered when EP data are being interpreted. If trends in EP data 

are to be assessed correctly, analyses should preferably be performed by a single laboratory, and the variance of the 

method should be known when interpreting data. As with blood lead levels, interlaboratory variance usually 

exceeds intralaboratory variance. The observed variance for EP is wider than that for blood lead, underscoring the 

importance of analytical variance in the evaluation of EP data. In addition, because of substantial intermethod 

differences, extraction and hematofluorometer results should not be compared when assessing trends (Mitchell and 

Doran, 1985; Kaul et al., 1983; Peter et al., 1978). Laboratories that test patient specimens for EP levels should be 

participants in one or more external proficiency testing programs. 

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REFERENCES

ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). The nature and extent of lead poisoning n children in 

the United States: a report to Congress. Atlanta: ATSDR, 1988. 

Blumberg WE, Eisinger J, Lamola AA, Zuckerman DM. The hematofluorometer. Clin Chem 1977; 23:270-4. 

Clark CS, Bornschein RL, Succop P, Que Hee SS, Hammond PB, Peace B. Condition and type of housing as an 

indicator of potential environmental lead exposure and pediatric blood lead levels. Environ Research 1985:38:46-

53. 

DeSilva PE, Donnan MB. Petrol venders, capillary blood lead levels, and contamination. Med J Aust 1977;1:794-5. 

Gotelli GR, Wall JH, Kabra PM, Morton LJ. Simultaneous liquid-chromotagraphic determination of zinc 

protoporphyrin IX, protoporphyrin IX, and coproporphyrin in whole blood. Clin Chem 1980;26:205-8. 

Gunter EW, Turner WE, Huff DL. Investigation of protoporphyrin IX standard materials used in acid-extraction 

methods, and a proposed correction for the millimolar absorptivity of protoporphyrin IX. Clin Chem 

1989;35:1601-8. 

HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). HUD Interim Guidelines on Lead-Based Paint. 

Washington (DC): HUD, 1990. 

Kaul B, Slavin G, Davidow B. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin and zinc protoporphyrin measurements compared as 

primary screening methods for detection of lead poisoning. Clin Chem 1983;29:1467-70. 

McElvaine MD, Orbach HG, Binder S, Blanksma LA, Maes EF, Krieg RM. Evaluation of the erythrocyte 

protoporphyrin test as a screen for elevated blood lead levels, Chicago, Illinois, 1988-1989. J Pediatr (in press) 

1991. 

Mitchell DG, Aldous KM, Ryan FJ. Mass screening for lead poisoning: capillary blood sampling and automated 

Delves-cup atomic-absorption analysis. N Y State J Med 1974;74:1599-1603. 

Mitchell DG, Doran D. Effect of bias in hematofluorometer measurements of protoporphyrin in screening programs 

for lead poisoning. Clin Chem 1985;31:38 I 90. 

Peter F, Growcock G, Strunc G. Fluorometric determination of erythrocyte protoporphyrin in blood, a comparison 

between direct (hematofluorometric) and indirect (extraction) methods. Clin Chem 1978; 24:1515-57. 

Reeves JD, Yip R, Kiley VA, Dallman PR. Iron deficiency in infants: the influence of mild antecedent infection. J 

Pediatr 1984:105:874-9. 

Smith RM, Doran D, Mazur M, Bush B. High performance liquid chromatographic determination of protoporphyrin 

and zinc protoporphyrin in blood. J Chrom 1980;181:319-27. 

Stanton NV, Gunter EW, Parsons PJ, Field PH. Empirically determined lead-poisoning screening cutoff for the 

protofluor-Z hematofluorometer. Clin Chem 1989;35:2104-7. 

Thomas WJ, Koenig HM, Lightsey AL Jr, Green R. Free erythrocyte porphyrin: hemoglobin ratios, serum ferritin, 

and transferring saturation levels during treatment of infants with iron-deficiency anemia. Blood 1977; 49:455-62. 

Yip R, Schwartz S, Deinard AS. Screening for iron deficiency with the erythrocyte protoporphyrin test. Pediatrics 

1983:72:214-9. 

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CHAPTER 7. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND MEDICAL 

MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 

UG/DL

SUMMARY 

CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL NEED COMPLETE MEDICAL 

EVALUATIONS. 

SEVERAL PHARMACOLOGIC AGENTS CAN REDUCE BLOOD LEAD LEVELS; HOWEVER, THE MOST 

IMPORTANT FACTOR IS REDUCING THE CHILD'S EXPOSURE TO LEAD. 

RESEARCH AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS MAY CHANGE MANY ASPECTS OF THE MEDICAL 

MANAGEMENT OF POISONED CHILDREN. 

Children with blood lead levels between 10 ug/dL and 19 ug/dL and their siblings need followup and repeat 

screening as described in previous chapters. They do not, however, need medical evaluation as described in this 

chapter. 

The cornerstones of clinical management are careful clinical and laboratory surveillance of the child, medical 

treatment when indicated, and eradication of controllable sources of environmental lead. THE MOST 

IMPORTANT FACTOR IN CASE MANAGEMENT IS TO REDUCE THE CHILD'S EXPOSURE TO LEAD. 

All children with confirmed venous blood lead levels > or = 20 ug/dL require medical evaluation. The urgency of 

further medical evaluation depends on the blood lead level and whether symptoms are present. 

The decision to institute medical management should virtually always be made on the basis of a venous blood lead 

measurement. No other screening test can be considered diagnostic. If the first evaluation was made on capillary 

blood, a confirmatory venous blood lead level must be done. Even if the first diagnostic measurement was on 

venous blood, it is preferable to retest before starting chelation therapy. For children with blood lead levels > or = 

70 ug/dL or clinical symptoms of lead poisoning, chelation should not be postponed while awaiting results of the 

repeat test. 

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING

SYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. 

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING IN A CHILD WITH AN ELEVATED BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 

CONSTITUTE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, AND THE CHILD SHOULD BE HOSPITALIZED. Symptoms, 

which can mimic several other pediatric disorders, must be looked for so they are not missed (Piomelli et al.,1984). 

Acute lead encephalopathy is characterized by some or all of these symptoms: coma, seizures, bizarre behavior, 

ataxia, apathy, incoordination, vomiting, alteration in the state of consciousness, and subtle loss of recently acquired 

skills. Any one or a mixture of these symptoms, associated with an elevated blood lead level, is an acute medical 

emergency. Lead encephalopathy is almost always associated with a blood lead level exceeding 100 ug/dL, 

although, occasionally, it has been reported at blood lead levels as low as 70 Ug/dL. Even when identified and 

promptly treated, severe and permanent brain damage may result in 70% - 80% of children with lead 

encephalopathy (Perlstein and Attala, 1966). Children with symptomatic lead poisoning with or without 

encephalopathy represent an acute medical emergency. THE POSSIBILITY OF LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY 

SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH 

COMA AND CONVULSIONS OF UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY. 

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Except for coma and seizures, symptomatic lead poisoning without encephalopathy is characterized by symptoms 

similar to those of lead encephalopathy. Symptomatic lead poisoning without encephalopathy is characterized by 

one or a combination of these symptoms: decrease in play activity, lethargy, anorexia, sporadic vomiting, 

intermittent abdominal pain, and constipation. These symptoms are usually associated with a blood lead levels of at 

least 70 ug/dL, although occasionally cases have been associated with levels as low as 50 ug/dL. If the blood lead 

level is below 50 ug/dL, other causes of the symptoms should be sought. SINCE ACUTE LEAD 

ENCEPHALOPATHY MAY DEVELOP IN ANY SYMPTOMATIC CHILD, TREATMENT AND SUPPORTIVE 

MEASURES MUST BE STARTED IMMEDIATELY ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS. 

EVALUATION OF THE CHILD WITH A BLOOD LEAD LEVEL > OR = 20 UG/DL

TAKE A CAREFUL HISTORY AND DO A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. 

INCLUDE EVALUATION OF THE CHILD'S IRON STATUS AND OTHER SPECIAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. 

HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

A child with a blood lead level > or = 20 ug/dL should have a pediatric evaluation, whether or not symptoms are 

present. 

Special attention should be given to: 

1. A detailed history, including the presence or absence of clinical symptoms, child's mouthing activities, the 

existence of pica, nutritional status (especially iron and calcium intake), dietary habits, family history of lead 

poisoning, potential sources of lead exposure (including exposure due to home renovation), and previous 

blood lead measurements. 

2. Detailed environmental and occupational histories of adults in the household or other places the child spends 

a lot of time. 

3. The physical examination, with particular attention to the neurologic examination and psychosocial and 

language development. A neurobehavioral assessment may be useful in children receiving chelation therapy 

both at the time of diagnosis and as the child approaches school age. Findings of language delay or other 

problems can prompt referral to appropriate programs. 

4. Evaluation of iron status using measurement of iron and total iron binding capacity or of ferritin. 

IRON STATUS AND SPECIAL TESTS

1. TESTS FOR IRON DEFICIENCY

BECAUSE IRON DEFICIENCY CAN ENHANCE LEAD ABSORPTION AND TOXICITY AND OFTEN 

COEXISTS WITH IT, ALL CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL SHOULD BE 

TESTED FOR IRON DEFICIENCY. Measurements of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and reticulocyte are not 

adequately sensitive, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) is not specific enough to diagnose iron deficiency 

(although EP can be used to screen for iron deficiency). 

SERUM IRON AND IRON BINDING CAPACITY (TRANSFERRIN SATURATION) AND FERRITIN are 

the most sensitive indicators of iron status. An abnormally low ratio of serum iron to iron binding capacity 

(transferrin saturation) of 0.2 is consistent with iron deficiency. The serum ferritin level, however, is the most 

definitive and accurate indication of overall iron status, although it is an acute phase reactant and may be 

falsely elevated in sick children; a value < or = 12 ug/dL indicates iron deficiency. Although all iron deficient 

children should receive treatment for this condition, the treatment should not be started until after chelation is 

completed in children receiving dimercaprol (BAL). 

2. EP LEVEL

An elevated EP level indicates impairment of the heme biosynthetic pathway. EP levels are sensitive 

screening tests for iron deficiency, and iron status should be assessed in any child with an elevated EP level 

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(that is, > or = 35 ug/dL when standardized using 241 L cm-1 mmol-1, > or = 28 ug/dL when standardized 

using 297 L cm-1 mmol-1, or > or = 70 umol/mol when measured in umol/mol units). 

Because EP levels take about 2 weeks to increase, EP levels may provide an indication of the duration of lead 

exposure (Chisolm, 1982; Chisolm, personal communication). Similarly, monitoring the EP level after 

medical and environmental interventions for poisoned children may be useful. If exposure to lead has ceased, 

EP values elevated because of lead poisoning decline slowly over several weeks or months (Piomelli et al., 

1984). A progressive decline in EP concentrations indicates that combined medical and environmental case 

management is Proceeding efficaciously. 

3. EDETATE DISODIUM CALCIUM (CANA2EDTA) PROVOCATIVE CHELATION TEST 

The mobilization test is used to determine whether a child with an initial confirmatory blood lead level of 25 

to 44 ug/dL will respond to chelation therapy with a brisk lead diuresis (Piomelli et al., 1984; Markowitz and 

Rosen, 1991). Because of the cost and staff time needed for quantitative urine collection, this test is used only 

in selected medical centers where large numbers of lead-poisoned children are treated. Children whose blood 

lead levels are > or = 45 ug/dL should not receive a provocative chelation test; they should be referred for 

appropriate chelation therapy immediately. 

The outcome of the provocative chelation test is determined not by a decrease in the blood lead level but by 

the amount of lead excreted per dose of CaNa2EDTA given. This ratio correlates well with blood lead levels. 

In one study, almost all children with blood lead levels 45 ug/dL had positive provocative tests, 76% of the 

children with blood lead levels 35 to 44 ug/dL had positive test results, and 35% of the children with blood 

lead levels 25 to 34 ,ug/dL had positive test results (Markowitz and Rosen, 1991). This test should not be 

done until the child is iron replete, since iron status may affect the outcome of the test (Markowitz et al., 

1990). 

CONDUCTING A CANA2EDTA PROVOCATIVE CHELATION TEST. First, a repeated baseline blood 

lead level must be obtained. The patient is asked to empty the bladder, and then CaNa2EDTA is administered 

at a dose of 500 mg/m square in 5% dextrose infused OVER 1 HOUR. (A somewhat painful but practical 

alternative is to administer intramuscularly the same dose mixed with procaine so that the final concentration 

of procaine is 0.5%.) All urine must be collected with lead-free equipment over the next 8 hours. (An 8 hour 

mobilization test has been shown to be as reliable as a 24-hour mobilization test (Markowitz and Rosen, 

1984).) An 8-hour test can be accomplished on an out-patient basis, but the patient should not leave the clinic 

during this test.) In the laboratory, the urine volume should be carefully measured and stored at 20 degrees 

Centigrade until the lead concentration is measured. Extreme care must be taken to ensure that lead-free 

equipment is used. 

The use of lead-free apparatus for urine collection is mandatory. Special lead-free collection apparatus must 

be used if valid test results are to be obtained. The laboratory that will perform the analysis should supply the 

proper collection apparatus. Preferably, urine should be voided directly into polyethylene or polypropylene 

bottles that have been cleaned by the usual procedures, then washed in nitric acid, and thoroughly rinsed with 

deionized, distilled water. For children who are not toilet trained, plastic pediatric urine collectors can be 

used. Urine collected in this manner should be transferred directly to the urine collection bottles. 

INTERPRETATION OF A CANA2EDTA PROVOCATIVE CHELATION TEST. To obtain the total lead 

excretion in micrograms, the concentration of lead in the urine (in micrograms per milliliter) is multiplied by 

the total urinary volume (in milliliters). The total urinary excretion of lead (micrograms) is divided by the 

amount of CaNa2EDTA given (milligrams) to obtain the lead excretion ratio: 

Lead excreted (ug) / CaNa2EDTA given (mg)

An 8-hour CaNa2EDTA chelation provocative test is considered positive if the lead excretion ratio is > 0.6 

(Markowitz and Rosen, 1991). Some clinicians use a cutoff of 0.5 for the lead excretion ratio (Weinberger et 

al., 1987). Children with blood lead levels 25 to 44 ug/dL and positive chelation test results should undergo a 

5-day course of chelation. 

Regardless of age, all children with elevated blood lead values and negative provocative chelation results 

should have blood lead levels measured monthly. If the elevation in blood lead values persists, the 

CaNa2EDTA provocative test can be repeated every 1 to 3 months and interpreted according to the above 

guidelines. 

4. RADIOLOGIC EXAMINATION OF THE ABDOMEN

Radiologic examination of the abdomen (flat plate) may show radiopaque foreign material if the material has 

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been ingested during the preceding 24 to 36 hours. Neither negative nor positive x-ray results are diagnostic 

or definitive. A flat plate of the abdomen may, however, provide information about the source of lead if paint 

chips or other lead objects are found. 

5. RADIOLOGIC EXAMINATION OF THE LONG BONES

X-rays of the long bones are unreliable for diagnosing acute lead poisoning, and they should not be obtained 

on a routine basis. They may provide some indication of whether lead poisoning has occurred in the past or 

has been ongoing for a length of time, and this may occasionally be important. Lines of increased density in 

the metaphyseal plate of the distal femur, proximal tibia, and fibula may be caused by lead which has 

disrupted the metabolism of bone matrix. Although these lines are sometimes called lead lines, they are areas 

of increased mineralization or calcification and not x-ray shadows of deposited lead. 

The following tests are NOT indicated for the diagnosis or clinical management of lead poisoning: 

6. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF RED CELLS FOR BASOPHILIC STIPPLING 

Since basophilic stippling is not always found in severe lead poisoning and is insensitive to lesser degrees of 

lead poisoning, it is not useful in diagnosis. 

7. TESTS OF HAIR AND FINGERNAILS FOR LEAD LEVELS 

The levels of lead in hair or fingernails do not correlate well with blood lead levels, except in extreme cases 

of symptomatic lead poisoning; therefore, these tests are not useful in diagnosis. Children should never 

receive chelating agents on the basis of analyses of lead levels in hair or fingernails. 

PHARMACOLOGY OF CHELATING AGENTS

Table 7 1 Several drugs are used in the treatment of lead poisoning. These drugs, capable of binding or chelating 

lead, deplete the soft and hard (skeletal) tissues of lead and thus reduce its acute toxicity (Chisolm, 1968; 

Markowitz and Rosen, 1984; Piomelli et al., 1984; Rosen et al., in press). All drugs have potential side effects and 

must be used with caution (Piomelli et al., 1984). The basic pharmacologic characteristics of the various drugs are 

described below. 

BAL

MECHANISM OF ACTION. Two molecules of dimercaprol (BAL) combine with one atom of heavy metal to form 

a stable complex. BAL enhances fecal and urinary excretion of lead and diffuses well into erythrocytes. Because it 

is predominantly excreted in bile, BAL can be administered in the presence of renal impairment (Chisolm, 1968). 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. BAL is available only in peanut oil for intramuscular 

administration. It is usually given every 4 hours, although it may be given every 8 hours; dosages are discussed 

under the heading Treatment Guidelines for Children with Blood Lead Levels > or = 20 ug/dL. 

PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. For patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6-PD), 

some clinicians recommend that BAL should be used only in life-threatening situations because it may induce 

hemolysis. Medicinal iron should never be administered during BAL therapy, because the combination of iron and 

BAL has been implicated in serious reactions. If iron deficiency coexists, it should not be treated until after BAL 

therapy has been completed. In cases of extreme anemia, blood transfusions are preferable. 

Between 30% and 50% of patients who receive BAL will experience side effects. Mild febrile reactions and 

transient elevations of hepatic transaminase may be observed. Other minor adverse effects include, in order of 

frequency, nausea and occasional vomiting, headache, mild conjunctivitis, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and salivation. 

Most side effects are transient and rapidly subside as the drug is metabolized and excreted. Intravenous hydration 

coupled with restricting oral intake can circumvent, in large part, gastrointestinal distress. 

BAL SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS OR PEANUT 

PRODUCTS. 

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CaNa2EDTA

Only CaNa2EDTA can be used for treating children with lead poisoning. Na2EDTA (disodium edetate) should 

never be used for treating children with lead poisoning because it will induce tetany and possibly fatal 

hypocalcemia. 

MECHANISM OF ACTION. CaNa2EDTA increases urinary lead excretion twentyfold to fiftyfold. CaNa2EDTA 

removes lead from the extracellular compartment only, because it does not enter cells (Osterloh and Becker, 1986). 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. The preferred route for administration of CaNa2EDTA is 

intravenous. CaNa2EDTA must be diluted to a concentration of< 0.5% either in dextrose and water or in 0.9% 

saline solution. It can be given as a continuous infusion or it can be given in two divided doses a day through a 

heparin lock over 30 to 60 minutes. CaNa2EDTA causes extreme pain when administered intramuscularly; 

therefore, when given by this route, it should be mixed with procaine so that the final concentration of procaine is 

0.5%. CaNa2EDTA should never be given orally because it enhances absorption of lead from the gastrointestinal 

tract. 

Dosages vary by situation and are detailed under the heading Treatment Guidelines for Children with Blood Lead 

Levels > or = 20 ug/dL. Individual courses should be limited to 5 days and repeated courses should be given at a 

minimum of 2- to 5-day intervals. Particularly when CaNa2EDTA is given on an outpatient basis, some clinicians 

use sequential 3-day courses of treatment. 

PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. During chelation therapy with CaNa2EDTA, urine output, urine sediment, 

blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and hepatocellular enzyme levels must be carefully monitored. The 

appearance of protein and formed elements in urinary sediment, and rising BUN and serum creatinine values reflect 

impending renal failure, the serious toxicity associated with inappropriately excessive, or prolonged administration 

of CaNa2EDTA. Liver transaminases may increase by the fifth day of therapy, but return to pretreatment levels 

within a week after treatment has ended. 

When CaNa2EDTA is used alone without concomitant BAL therapy, it may aggravate symptoms in patients with 

very high blood lead levels. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with BAL when the blood lead level is > or 

= 70 ug/dL or overt clinical symptoms of lead poisoning are present. In such cases, the first dose of BAL should 

always precede the first dose of CaNa2EDTA by at least 4 hours. 

The kidney is the principal site of potential toxicity. Renal toxicity is dose related, reversible, and rarely (if ever) 

occurs at doses <1500 mg/m square when the patient is adequately hydrated. CaNa2EDTA must never be given in 

the absence of an adequate urine flow (Piomelli et al., 1984). 

D-PENICILLAMINE

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved D-penicillamine for the treatment of Wilson's disease, 

cystinuria, and severe, active rheumatoid arthritis. Although not approved for this use, it is used in some centers for 

treating lead poisoning. Until the recent approval of succimer, it was the only commercially available oral chelating 

agent. It can be given over a long period (weeks to months). D-penicillamine has been used mainly for children with 

blood lead levels <45 ug/dL. 

MECHANISM OF ACTION. D-penicillamine enhances urinary excretion of lead, although not as effectively as 

CaNa2EDTA. Its specific mechanism and site of action are not well understood. 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. D-penicillamine is administered orally. It is available in 

capsules or tablets (125 mg and 250 mg). These capsules can be opened and suspended in liquid, if necessary. The 

usual dose is 25 to 35 mg/kg/day in divided doses. Side effects can be minimized, to an extent, by starting with a 

small dose and increasing it gradually, monitoring all the time for side effects. For example, 25% of the desired 

final dose could be given in week 1, 50% in week 2, and the full dose by week 3. 

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PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. Toxic side effects (albeit minor in most cases) occur in as many as 33% of 

patients given the drug (Shannon et al., 1988). The main side effects of D-penicillamine are reactions resembling 

those of penicillin sensitivity, including rashes, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hematuria, proteinuria, 

hepatocellular enzyme elevations, and eosinophilia. Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are infrequent. Of most 

concern, however, are isolated reports of nephrotoxicity, possibly from hypersensitivity reactions. For these 

reasons, patients should be carefully and frequently monitored for clinically obvious side effects, and frequent blood 

counts, urinalyses, and renal function tests should be performed. In particular, blood counts and urinalyses should 

be done on day 1, day 14, day 28, and monthly thereafter. If the absolute neutrophil count falls to < 1500/ug/dL, the 

count should be rechecked immediately, and treatment should be stopped if it falls to < 1200/ug/dL. 

D-penicillamine should not be given on an outpatient basis if exposure to lead is continuing or the physician has 

doubts about compliance with the therapeutic regimen. 

D-PENICILLAMINE SHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED TO PATIENTS WITH KNOWN PENICILLIN 

ALLERGY. 

SUCCIMER

The FDA approved succimer in January, 1991 for treating children with blood lead levels >45 ug/dL. Succimer 

appears to be an effective oral chelating agent. Its selectivity for lead is high, whereas its ability to chelate essential 

trace metals is low. Although its use to date has been limited, succimer appears to have promising potential, and a 

broader range of clinical research studies in children are being undertaken. 

Succimer is chemically similar to BAL but is more water soluble, has a high therapeutic index. and is absorbed 

from the gastrointestinal tract (Aposhian and Aposhian, 1990). It is effective when given orally and produces a lead 

diuresis comparable to that produced by CaNa2EDTA (Chisolm, 1990). This diuresis lowers blood lead levels and 

reverses the biochemical toxicity of lead, as indicated by normalization of circulating aminolevulinic acid dehydrase 

levels (Graziano et al., 1988). Succimer is not indicated for prophylaxis of lead poisoning in a lead-containing 

environment. AS WITH ALL CHELATING AGENTS, SUCCIMER SHOULD ONLY BE GIVEN TO 

CHILDREN WHO RESIDE IN ENVIRONMENTS FREE OF LEAD DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT. 

MECHANISM OF ACTION. Succimer appears to be more specific for lead than the most commonly used 

chelating agent, CaNa2EDTA; the urinary loss of essential trace elements (for example, zinc) appears to be 

considerably less with succimer than with CaNa2EDTA (Aposhian and Aposhian, 1990). The site of lead chelation 

by succimer is not known. 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. Succimer is administered orally. It is available in 100 mg 

capsules. The recommended initial dose is 350 mg/m square (10 mg/kg) every 8 hours for 5 days, followed by 350 

mg/m square (10 mg/kg) every 12 hours for 14 days. A course of treatment, therefore, lasts 19 days. If more courses 

are needed, a minimum of 2 weeks between courses is preferred, unless blood lead levels indicate the need for 

immediate retreatment. These doses may be modified as more experience is gained in using succimer. 

Patients who have received therapeutic courses of CaNa2EDTA with or without BAL may use succimer for 

subsequent treatment after an interval of 4 weeks. Data on the concomitant use of succimer and CaNa2EDTA with 

or without BAL are not available, and such use is not recommended. 

If young children cannot swallow capsules, succimer can be administered by separating the capsule and sprinkling 

the medicated beads on a small amount of soft food or by putting them on a spoon and following with a fruit drink. 

Data are not available on how stable succimer is when it is suspended in soft foods for prolonged periods of time; 

succimer should be mixed with soft foods immediately before being given to the child. 

PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. To date, toxicity due to succimer (transient elevations in hepatic enzyme 

activities) appears to be minimal (Graziano et al., 1988). The most common adverse effects reported in clinical 

trials in children and adults were primarily gastrointestinal and included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite 

loss. Rashes, some necessitating discontinuation of therapy, have been reported for about 4% of patients. Though 

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succimer holds considerable promise for the outpatient management of lead poisoning, clinical experience with 

succimer is limited. Consequently, the full spectrum and incidence of adverse reactions, including the possibility of 

hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reactions, have not been determined. 

If succimer is used, the following precautions must be taken: 

1. Monitor for side effects (especially effects on liver transaminase), the rapidity of the initial decrease in blood 

lead levels, and the course of the rebound in blood lead levels once treatment has ended. 

2. Succimer, like other chelators, is not a substitute for effective and rapid environmental interventions. Use 

succimer as part of an integrated environmental and medical approach to treating patients with lead 

poisoning.

3. Do not give succimer (or any other chelating agent) in situations where high dose lead sources are available 

to the child.

In rats, gastrointestinal absorption of lead and whole body lead retention were reduced by a single oral dose of 

succimer (Kapoor et al., 1989). The potential for enhancing human lead absorption from the gastrointestinal tract 

during the use of succimer is under study. 

1. Children with blood lead levels >45 ug/dL who are being treated with succimer, should, if possible, be 

hospitalized until their blood lead levels fall below 45 ug/dL and the lead hazards in their homes are abated or 

alternative lead hazard-free housing has been identified. 

2. Children with blood lead levels > or = 70 ug/dL should be immediately hospitalized. The decision to treat 

such children with succimer instead of CaNa2EDTA and BAL should be made with the understanding that 

experience with using succimer in children with these blood lead levels is limited.

TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 

20 UG/DL

THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN MANAGING CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING IS REDUCING THE 

CHILD'S EXPOSURE TO LEAD. 

CHILDREN WITH SYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING, WITH AND WITHOUT ENCEPHALOPATHY, 

SHOULD BE MANAGED BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM. 

ASYMPTOMATIC CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 45 UG/DL SHOULD RECEIVE 

CHELATION THERAPY. 

DIFFERENT CLINICAL CENTERS AND PROGRAMS USE DIFFERENT PROTOCOLS TO MEDICALLY 

MANAGE CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS OF 25 TO 44 UG/DL. 

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN MANAGING OF CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING IS 

REDUCING THE CHILD'S EXPOSURE TO LEAD; SOME CHILDREN, HOWEVER, WILL BENEFIT FROM 

CHELATION THERAPY. One approach for pharmacologic treatment of children with lead poisoning follows. It is 

a general guide and is not the only pharmacologic regimen that can be used to treat poisoned children. 

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING (WITH OR WITHOUT 

ENCEPHALOPATHY)

GENERAL MANAGEMENT. Children with symptomatic lead poisoning (with or without encephalopathy) must 

be treated only at a pediatric center that has an intensive care unit. They should be managed by a multidisciplinary 

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team that includes, as needed, critical care, toxicology, neurology, and neurosurgery. The child's neurological status 

and fluid balance must be carefully monitored. 

The symptoms associated with lead poisoning (with or without lead encephalopathy) are described under the 

heading Symptoms of Lead Poisoning. One or more of those symptoms associated with an elevated blood lead level 

constitutes an acute medical emergency. Because chelation regimens are the same for cases of symptomatic lead 

poisoning (with and without encephalopathy), guidelines for clinical management have been included in a single 

section. 

CHELATION THERAPY. Although succimer has been approved for chelation of children with blood lead levels 

>45 ug/dL, experience in treating symptomatic children is limited. Therefore, the treatment regimen discussed here 

uses CaNa2EDTA and BAL. Chelation with succimer is discussed under the heading Succimer. 

Start treatment with a dose of 75 mg/m square BAL only, given by deep intramuscular injection; administer BAL at 

a dose of 450 mg/m square/day in divided doses of 75 mg/m square every 4 hours. Once this dose is given and an 

adequate urine flow is established, administer CaNa2EDTA at a dose of 1,500 mg/m square/day. Give 

CaNa2EDTA as a continuous intravenous infusion in dextrose and water or in a 0.9% saline solution. The 

concentration of CaNa2EDTA should not exceed 0.5% in the parenteral fluid. (When treating a child with 

encephalopathy, the physician may choose to give CaNa2EDTA intramuscularly to reduce the amount of fluid 

administered.) Treat with combined BAL-CaNa2EDTA therapy for a total of 5 days. During treatment, monitor 

renal and hepatic function and serum electrolyte levels daily (Piomelli et al., 1984). 

A second course of chelation therapy with CaNa2EDTA alone (at blood lead levels 45 - 69 ug/dL) or combined 

with BAL (at blood lead levels 70 ug/dL), may be required once there is a rebound in the blood lead level after 

chelation. Wait at least 2 days before giving a second course of chelation. A third course is required only if the 

blood lead concentration rebounds to a value > 45 ug/dL within 48 hours after the second course of treatment. 

Unless there are unusual and compelling clinical reasons, wait at least 5 to 7 days before beginning a third course of 

CaNa2EDTA (Piomelli et al., 1984). 

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ASYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING

Clinical management of asymptomatic lead-poisoned children with blood lead levels high enough to require 

chelation is similar to that of symptomatic children. Focus on reducing the child's exposure to lead and decreasing 

the child's body burden of lead. 

Although succimer has been approved for chelation of children with blood lead levels > 45 ug/dL, experience with 

this drug is limited. Therefore, the treatment regimen discussed here uses CaNa2EDTA and BAL. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL > OR = 70 UG/DL. Children with blood lead levels > or = 70 ug/dL (with or without 

symptoms) represent an acute medical emergency. If the blood lead level is > or = 70 ug/dL, give both BAL and 

CaNa2EDTA in the same doses and using the guidelines as for treatment of symptomatic lead poisoning (discussed 

under the heading Treatment Guidelines for Children with Blood Lead Levels > or = 20 ug/dL. ). A second course 

of chelation therapy with CaNa2EDTA alone may be required if the blood lead concentration rebounds to a value > 

or = 45 ug/dL within 5 to 7 days after treatment. In general allow at least 5 to 7 days before beginning a second 

course of CaNa2EDTA. Some practitioners give a second course of chelation after a 3-day rest period if the 

immediate post-treatment blood lead level is >35 ug/dL (J. Chisolm, personal communication). 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 45 TO 69 UG/DL. If the blood lead value is between 45 and 69 ug/dL, chelation treatment 

should be limited to CaNa, EDTA only. CaNa2EDTA is given for 5 days at a dose of 1,000 mg/m square/ day 

intravenously by continuous infusion or in divided doses, as described under the heading CaNa2EDTA. During 

treatment, evaluate renal and hepatic function and serum electrolyte levels regularly. Do not continue CaNa2EDTA 

treatment for more than 5 days (Piomelli et al., 1984). 

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A second course of chelation therapy with CaNa2EDTA alone may be required if the blood lead level rebounds to 

45 ug/dL within 7 to 14 days after treatment. Allow 5 to 7 days before beginning a second course of CaNa2EDTA. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 25 TO 44 UG/DL. For this blood lead range, the effectiveness of chelation therapy in 

decreasing the adverse effects of lead on children's intelligence has not been shown. Treatment regimens vary from 

clinic to clinic. Some practitioners treat children with lead levels in this range pharmacologically. (Although it is not 

approved for this use, some use D-penicillamine for children in this blood lead range.) The minimum medical 

management for children with these blood lead levels is to decrease the children's exposure to all sources of lead, to 

correct any iron deficiency and maintain an adequate calcium intake, and to test frequently to ensure that the child's 

blood lead levels are decreasing. Many experienced practitioners decide whether to use chelation therapy on the 

basis of the results of carefully performed CaNa2EDTA mobilization tests (See Edetate Disodium Calcium 

(CaNa2EDTA) Provactive Chelation Test). 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 20 TO 24 UG/DL. ONLY VERY MINIMAL DATA EXISTS ABOUT CHELATING 

CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS BELOW 25 UG/DL, AND SUCH CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE 

CHELATED EXCEPT IN THE CONTEXT OF APPROVED CLINICAL TRIALS. A child with a confirmed blood 

lead level of 20 to 24 ug/dL will require individual case management by a pediatric health-care provider. The child 

should have an evaluation with special attention to nutritional and iron status. The parents should be taught about: 

1) the causes and effects of lead poisoning, 2) the need for more routine blood lead testing, 3) possible sources of 

lead intake and how to reduce them, 4) the importance of adequate nutrition and of foods high in iron and calcium, 

and 5) resources for further information. (This is described in more detail in Chapter 4.) Sequential measurements 

of blood lead levels along with review of the child's clinical status should be done at least every 3 months. Iron 

deficiency should be treated promptly. Children with blood lead levels in this range should be referred for 

environmental investigation and management. IDENTIFYING AND ERADICATING ALL SOURCES OF 

EXCESSIVE LEAD EXPOSURE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INTERVENTION FOR DECREASING BLOOD 

LEAD LEVELS (CHAPTER 8). 

POST-CHELATION FOLLOWUP

RECHECK BLOOD LEAD LEVELS 7 TO 21 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT. DETERMINE IF RETREATMENT 

IS NECESSARY. 

DO NOT DISCHARGE A CHILD FROM THE HOSPITAL UNTIL A LEAD FREE ENVIRONMENT CAN BE 

ASSURED. 

At the end of each treatment cycle, the blood lead concentration usually declines to <25 ug/dL. Within a few days, 

however, reequilibration among body lead compartments takes place and may result in a rebound; thus, THE 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL MUST BE RECHECKED 7 TO 21 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT TO DETERMINE 

WHETHER RETREATMENT IS NECESSARY (Piomelli et al., 1984; Chisolm et al., 1985). 

Children who undergo chelation treatment require long-term followup preferably from pediatric health-care 

providers, nutritionists, environmental specialists, and community out-reach workers. Community outreach workers 

provide a critical bridge between hospital-based or clinic-based (outpatient) medical care, health advocacy 

education, and environmental remediation outside the hospital. Children should NEVER be discharged from the 

hospital UNTIL THEY CAN GO TO A LEAD-FREE ENVIRONMENT (CDC, 1985; Piomelli et al., 1984). Leadfree safe housing (with friends, relatives, or in designated transitional housing), in which a treated child can live 

during the entire abatement process through the post-abatement clean-up, must be arranged. With appropriately 

carried-out public health measures, complete and safe abatement should be achieved during the treatment period 

(CDC, 1985). 

Once a child is discharged to a safe environment, frequent followup is mandatory. In general, depending on the 

initial blood lead value, most children who require chelation therapy must be followed closely for at least one year 

or more. All children undergoing chelation treatment should be seen every other week for 6-8 weeks, then once a 

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month for 4-6 months. A child treated with BAL and CaNa2EDTA should be followed more closely: weekly for 4 

to 6 weeks, then monthly for 12 months. 

At each clinic visit, housing information should be updated. If history suggests that exposure is increasing or if 

blood lead levels are rising, the dwelling must be reinspected to evaluate the possibility of new sources of 

environmental lead, inadequate abatement, or unsound structures in buildings (for example, poor plumbing with 

leaks) that cause further chipping or breakdown of a previously repaired dwelling (Piomelli et al., 1984). 

RESEARCH AREAS AND FUTURE TRENDS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF 

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING

FURTHER EVALUATION IS NEEDED ON: 

XRAY FLUORESCENCE (XRF) MEASUREMENTS OF LEAD IN BONE. 

EFFICACY OF CHELATING AGENTS IN REDUCING THE ADVERSE NEUROBEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF 

LEAD. 

USES OF SUCCIMER. 

TOXICITY OF CANA2EDTA AND OTHER CHELATING AGENTS. 

BONE LEAD MEASUREMENTS USING XRAY FLUORESCENCE (XRF)

According to published data, L-line and the K-line XRF techniques permit non-invasive assessment of skeletal lead 

stores. These bone stores reflect the lead burden accumulated over an individual's life. In contrast, blood lead values 

reflect recent lead exposure and absorption during the past 1 to 3 months and provide limited information about lead 

toxicokinetics over time (Rabinowitz et al., 1977). Evaluations using the L-line methodology in children have 

shown that blood lead levels underestimate the body burden of lead in lead-poisoned children (Rosen et al., in 

press); and sequential measurements of lead in lead-poisoned children by the L-line technique have shown 

decreases in bone lead after CaNa2EDTA treatment or environmental intervention (Rosen et al., in press). K-line 

techniques have been used mainly to measure bone lead levels in workers. Quantitation of bone lead content of 

children takes about 16 minutes. 

At present, XRF equipment is available only in a few centers in the United States and Europe. 

EFFICACY OF CHELATING AGENTS

The benefits of chelation therapy in symptomatic lead-poisoned children are well known (Chisolm, 1968). Prompt 

intervention with chelating agents prevents progression to symptomatic disease and normalizes biochemical indices 

of lead toxicity. However, the efficacy of chelating agents in reversing or modifying the adverse neurobehavioral 

effects at all blood lead levels in apparently asymptomatic children needs to be carefully assessed. Better 

understanding of this issue is critical in deciding the end-point of medical treatment. It is also essential in defining 

when chelation should be used. 

SUCCIMER

Data are needed on the tissue sites of lead chelated by succimer, the adverse effects of succimer, the effect of 

succimer on absorption of lead from the gastrointestinal tract, and the effectiveness of different dose regimens of 

succimer. Assuming that no new significant adverse effects are noted after succimer is used more widely, the 

efficacy and appropriate use of succimer for treating lead-poisoned children with blood lead levels below 45 ug/dL 

needs to be established. 

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TOXICITY OF CaNa2EDTA

Results of one animal study suggest that CaNa2EDTA may transiently increase brain lead levels (Cory-Slechta et 

al., 1987). The redistribution of lead during chelation needs further study. 

REFERENCES

Aposhian HV, Aposhian MM. Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid: chemical, pharmacological and toxicological 

properties of an orally effective metal chelating agent. Ann Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1990; 30:279-306. 

CDC (Centers for Disease Control). 1985. Preventing lead poisoning in young children: A statement by the Centers 

for Disease Control. Atlanta: CDC, 1985; CDC report no. 99-2230. 

Chisolm JJ Jr. The use of chelating agents in the treatment of acute and chronic lead intoxication in childhood. J 

Pediatr 1968:73:1- 38. 

Chisolm JJ Jr. Management of increased lead absorption - illustrative cases. In: Chisolm JJ Jr, O'Hara DM, editors. 

Lead absorption in children: management, clinical, environmental aspects. Baltimore: Urban and Schwarzenberg, 

1982:171-88. 

Chisolm JJ Jr, Mellits ED, Quaskey SA. The relationship between the level of lead absorption in children and the 

age, type, and condition of housing. Environ Res 1985;38:31-45. 

Chisolm JJ Jr. Evaluation of the potential role of chelating therapy in the treatment of low to moderate lead 

exposures. Environ Health Perspect 1990;89:67-74. 

Cory-Slechta DA, Weiss B, Cox C. Mobilization and redistribution of lead over the course of calcium disodium 

ethylenediamine tetraacetate chelation therapy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1987;243:804-13. 

Graziano JH, LoIacono NJ, Meyer P. Dose-response study of oral 2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in children with 

elevated blood lead concentrations. J Pediatr 1988:113:751-7. 

Kapoor SC, Wielopolski L, Graziano JH, LoIacono NJ. Influence of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid on gastrointestinal 

lead absorption and whole-body lead retention. Toxic Appl Pharmacol 1989;97:525-9. 

Markowitz ME, Rosen JF. Assessment of lead stores in children: validation of an 8-hour CaNa2EDTA provocative 

test. J Pediatr 1984;104:337-2. 

Markowitz ME, Rosen JF, Bijur PE. Effects of iron deficiency on lead excretion in children with moderate lead 

intoxication. J Pediatr 1990;116:360-4. 

Markowitz ME, Rosen JF. Need for the lead mobilization test in children with lead poisoning. J Pediatr 

1991;119:305-10. 

Osterloh J, Becker CE. Pharmacokinetics of CaNa2EDTA and chelation of lead in renal failure. Clin Pharm Ther 

1986;40:686-93. 

Perlstein MA, Attala R. Neurologic sequelae of plumbism in children. Clin Pediatr 1966;5:292-8. 

Piomelli S, Corash L, Corash MB, Seaman C, Mushak P, Glover B, Padgett R. Blood lead concentrations in a 

remote Himalayan population. Science 1980;210:1135-7. 

Piomelli S, Rosen JF, Chisolm JJ Jr, Graef JW. Management of childhood lead poisoning. J Pediatr 1984;105:523-

32. 

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Rabinowitz MB, Wetherill GW, Kopple JD. Magnitude of lead intake from respiration by normal man. J Lab Clin 

Med 1977;90:238-48. 

Rosen JF, Markowitz ME, Bijur PE, Jenks ST, Wielopolski L, Kalef- Ezra JA, Slatkin DN. L-line x-ray 

fluorescence of cortical bone lead compared with the CaNa2EDTA-treated lead-toxic children. Environ Health 

Perspect (in press). 

Shannon M, Graef J, Lovejoy FH Jr. Efficacy and toxicity of D-penicillamine in low-level lead poisoning. J Pediatr 

1988;112:799-804. 

Weinberger HL, Post EM, Schneider T, Helu B, Friedman J. An analysis of 248 initial mobilization tests performed 

on an ambulatory basis. Am J Dis Child 1987;141:1266-70. 

CHAPTER 8. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE 

ENVIRONMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD

SUMMARY 

TO ERADICATE CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING, LEAD HAZARDS MUST BE ABATED. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CASE MANAGEMENT INCLUDES A NUMBER OF ACTIONS PRESCRIBED FOR A 

CHILD WITH LEAD POISONING. 

PRECAUTIONS MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT ABATEMENT IS CONDUCTED IN THE SAFEST 

AND MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER POSSIBLE. 

Eradicating childhood lead poisoning requires a long-term active program of primary lead-poisoning prevention, 

including abatement of lead-based paint hazards in homes, day-care centers, and other places where young children 

play and live. For the child who is lead poisoned, however, efficient and effective interventions are needed as 

quickly as possible. Abatement means making the source of lead inaccessible to the child. 

Lead-based paint is the most common source of high-dose lead poisoning. Complete abatement of lead-based paint 

means eliminating all lead- based paint in a housing unit as a source of lead for the child, either by removing the 

paint or by using permanent barriers. Complete abatement of the lead hazards in the child's environment is the most 

effective and only certain way to prevent further damage. Complete abatement is expensive, but once a dwelling is 

abated, many generations of children may live in that home and reap the benefits. Unfortunately, complete 

abatement may not always be possible, and shorter term, preventive maintenance procedures may have to be 

undertaken to minimize the potential for further damage. 

Lead-based paint is rarely completely abated in many of the largest childhood lead poisoning prevention programs. 

Instead, various degrees of incomplete abatement -- designed to eliminate the worst hazards and prevent near-term 

exposures -- are conducted. Development of cost- effective, safe, simple, and widely applicable methods of 

complete paint abatement is a high priority. 

Whether complete abatement or preventive maintenance is done, persons performing the work should be 

knowledgeable of the hazards of lead to themselves, to children, and to the environment. They should be trained in 

the proper procedures for abatement and preventive maintenance, since improperly performed work can actually 

increase the hazards to the child. 

Each situation in which a child gets poisoned is unique and must be evaluated by a person or team of persons skilled 

and knowledgeable about lead poisoning, hazard identification, and interventions to reduce lead exposure, including 

abatement of lead-based paint in housing. Childhood lead poisoning prevention programs need to work closely with 

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other relevant agencies (for example, housing and environmental agencies) to ensure that the quickest and most 

effective approach is taken to remediating the environments of poisoned children. 

The 1985 CDC statement on Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children set the level for environmental 

intervention at 25 ug/dL. In this new statement CDC recommends environmental intervention for children with 

blood lead levels of> or = 20 ug/dL, or of > or = 15 ug/dL that persist. Where resources are limited, however, 

individual environmental intervention must first focus on those children with the highest blood lead levels. CDC 

also recommends that environmental interventions be directed at primary prevention of lead poisoning in 

communities with a large number or percentage of children with blood lead levels > or = 10 ug/dL (Chapter 9). 

WHEN RESOURCES ARE LIMITED, ENVIRONMENTAL INTERVENTION MUST FIRST FOCUS ON 

THOSE CHILDREN WITH THE HIGHEST BLOOD LEAD LEVELS. WHEN POSSIBLE, ABATEMENT 

SHOULD BE CONDUCTED FOR PRIMARY PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING. 

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued Lead-Based Paint Interim Guidelines for Hazard 

Identification and Abatement in Public and Indian Housing, hereafter called the HUD Guidelines (HUD, 1990, also 

published in the Federal Register 55FR14556). (The worker protection guidance was subsequently revised and 

published in the Federal Register, 55FR39873.) This document is referenced frequently in this chapter because it 

contains the most comprehensive information on identifying and abating lead-based paint hazards available. It is not 

expected that every childhood lead poisoning prevention program or every homeowner will follow the guidelines 

completely. These guidelines were written for lead hazards in public and Indian housing, particularly for use during 

comprehensive modernization programs. Such programs, carried out when the property is vacant and in multiple 

units at one time, offer opportunities for very thorough and complete abatements. Most abatement of lead-based 

paint in the private sector does not occur in such a context. In the private sector, abatement is generally done in 

occupied housing scattered throughout an area, often with limited resources. In the context of this chapter, the HUD 

guidelines are an information source on identifying and abating hazards. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CASE MANAGEMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL CASE MANAGEMENT INCLUDES 

EDUCATING PARENTS ABOUT THE SOURCES, EFFECTS, AND PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING. 

INVESTIGATING THE ENVIRONMENT TO IDENTIFY LEAD SOURCES AND EFFECTIVELY 

COMMUNICATING THE RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION. 

TAKING EMERGENCY MEASURES TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE. 

DOING LONG-TERM INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE. 

EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF THE INTERVENTIONS. 

Environmental case management includes a number of actions prescribed for a child with lead poisoning. Ideally, 

environmental case management should be conducted by a team of professionals in public health, environmental 

activities, medical management, and social management. A team approach to intervention will help ensure that 

followup is timely and effective. The management team may need to solve many related problems, such as whether 

to investigate supplemental addresses, where to find temporary alternative housing, and how to use community 

resources to assist the family in dealing with the lead-poisoned child. 

A team approach to case management is most effective when all team members: 

1. Demonstrate professionalism. 

2. Show genuine concern for the poisoned child and family. 

3. Support other team members. 

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4. Use similar terms, descriptions, and reference points to communicate with the child's family. 

5. Meet specific time frames for followup. 

6. Reinforce education of the family at every encounter. 

TIME FRAMES FOR INVESTIGATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS

The following guidelines describe the maximum time within which environmental interventions should be 

implemented. All children with blood lead levels > or = 20 ug/dL should have environmental interventions 

conducted as quickly as possible. Children with blood lead levels > or = 45 ug/dL require prompt chelation therapy. 

THE HOMES OF THESE CHILDREN MUST BE REMEDIATED BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO 

RETURN. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 70 UG/DL. Children with blood lead levels above 69 ug/dL constitute a medical 

emergency and must be hospitalized immediately. They are at highest risk for severe, permanent neurologic damage 

due to lead exposure and must be given highest priority for followup. Environmental investigation and intervention 

should be started within 24-48 hours and should include the child's home and potential sites of exposure, such as a 

relative's home or a day-care center. The homes of these children must be remediated before they are allowed to 

return. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS BETWEEN 45 AND 69 UG/DL. These children can be given a slightly lower 

intervention priority than the children classified as medical emergencies. Environmental investigation and 

intervention should begin within 5 working days and should include the same components as for children with 

higher blood lead levels. The homes of these children must be remediated before they are allowed to return. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS BETWEEN 20 AND 44 UG/DL. Environmental investigation and intervention should 

begin within 10 working days. Since many of these children will not be hospitalized and since allowing exposures 

to continue might lead to further increases in blood lead levels, environmental interventions for these children 

should be conducted as quickly as possible. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS BETWEEN 15 AND 19 UG/DL. Environmental investigation and intervention for 

children at this level should be based upon program resources and the ability of program staff to respond. At a 

minimum, these children and their families should have education regarding lead poisoning. If blood lead levels > 

or = 15 ug/dL persist, environmental intervention should be made where possible -- including assisting the parents 

in locating potential sources of lead contamination in and around the home and instructing them about how to 

reduce the risk of lead contamination. If resources permit, a full environmental inspection for lead-based paint 

should be done for such children. 

Although full environmental investigation and abatement is not recommended as part of the management of 

children with blood lead levels below 15 ug/dL, the identification and reduction of lead hazards in all high-risk 

housing is an important primary prevention measure (Chapter 9). 

EDUCATING PARENTS ABOUT LEAD POISONING

The parents of all lead-poisoned children should be educated about lead poisoning. In communities with a high 

incidence of lead poisoning, communitywide educational efforts should be considered. These efforts should provide 

information similar to that in the anticipatory guidance provided by pediatric health care providers. Information 

provided should include: 

1. Causes and effects of lead poisoning. 

2. Relationship of the child's blood lead level to the potential for adverse health effects. 

3. Need for followup blood lead testing of the child. 

4. The child's possible sources of lead intake and practical means for reducing and eliminating these sources. 

5. Role of nutrition in decreasing lead absorption. 

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6. Resources where parents can get further information (addresses and telephone numbers of local health-care 

providers or public health agencies). 

Ideally, this information should be provided during a face-to-face meeting with the parents. When local resources 

are limited, however, written material (in an appropriate language) may be mailed to the child's family. Educating 

parents about lead poisoning is further discussed in Chapter 4. 

INVESTIGATING THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATING THE RESULTS

The technical aspects of inspecting a home for lead-based paint are discussed below. In general, an investigation of 

the environment of a lead poisoned child should include the following steps: 

1. Determine the most likely sources of high-dose exposure to lead. 

2. Investigate the child's home to identify possible sources of lead. Include both the interior and exterior 

environment and give special attention to painted surfaces, dust, soil, and water. (Details on how to test for 

lead-based paint are in the next section.) 

3. Advise parents and caretakers about identified and potential sources of lead and ways to reduce exposure. 

4. In cases in which the parent does not own the home, notify the property owner immediately that a child 

residing on the property has lead poisoning. Discuss the results of the environmental investigation and the 

abatement interventions required with the property owner. Emphasize the importance of prompt abatement. 

When a child with a medical emergency from lead poisoning is identified, an immediate, face-to-face meeting 

with the property owner may best demonstrate the need for emergency intervention. 

5. Advise parents and property owners that no residents or personal belongings should remain in the home 

during abatement. 

6. Monitor the effectiveness and timeliness of abatement procedures closely. 

7. Coordinate environmental activities with those of other professionals, including the health-care providers and 

persons responsible for public health and social management. A team approach to intervention will help 

provide a timely and effective followup. 

EMERGENCY MEASURES TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE

The first phase of environmental intervention may be to use short- term emergency interventions to temporarily 

reduce lead hazards. As soon as a blood lead level > or = 20 ug/dL (or, if resources permit, > or = 15 ug/dL) is 

confirmed, parents should be advised of the hazards of lead-based paint and lead dust. They should be told not to 

attempt abatement themselves improper abatement will most likely increase lead dust levels in the home and create 

additional, more severe exposure for the child. The temporary nature of interventions other than abatement should 

be emphasized. 

When the source of lead is paint and paint-contaminated dust, parents can be instructed to stabilize the paint, wetmop all floors, and wet-clean window sills and window wells at least twice per week. Cleaners high in phosphates 

appear to work particularly well. Sponges and rags used in this cleaning should be used for no other purpose. In 

particular, they should not be used to wash dishes or clean eating- or food-preparation surfaces, since dangerous 

contamination could result. Children's hands should be washed regularly, particularly before eating. Toys and 

pacifiers that are mouthed should be washed at least daily. Cribs and playpens should be moved away from 

chipping or peeling paint; furniture can be placed in front of areas that are not intact to make them less accessible. 

Dry sweeping of dust should be avoided, because it will stir up and spread the dust. Other measures to reduce lead 

exposure are discussed in Chapter 4. 

LONG-TERM MEASURES TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE

The next phase of environmental intervention involves long-term hazard reduction. If the source of lead is paint and 

paint-contaminated dust, the lead hazards are permanently abated only when all lead- based paint is completely 

removed or otherwise made permanently inaccessible. Less extensive practices, which are commonly used by 

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childhood lead poisoning prevention programs, may be called "long term abatement." Certain maintenance 

procedures (for example, frequent cleaning and keeping walls freshly painted) may be classified as "preventive 

maintenance," but in general these procedures offer no absolute assurance of safety. In cases other than "permanent 

abatement," how long the hazard will remain under control depends on such factors as the quality of the 

workmanship, the thoroughness of the procedure, the soundness of the underlying structure, and the condition of the 

plumbing and roof. Moisture from leaky pipes or roofs can quickly cause paint that was smooth and intact to blister 

and scale, generating hazardous levels of lead dust. Except in unusual situations (such as in the case of housing that 

is not likely to be viable for more than a couple of years or when no alternative housing is available), temporary 

measures to reduce exposure should not be a substitute for abatement or an excuse for delaying abatement. 

Technical aspects of lead-based paint abatement are discussed below. 

EVALUATING INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES

The effectiveness of any intervention for a lead-poisoned child should be evaluated by its impact on the child's 

blood lead level. Measurement of environmental lead levels may also be helpful. 

ASSESSING THE LEAD PROBLEM IN THE CHILD'S COMMUNITY

If a number of children are identified as being lead-poisoned in a community, communitywide interventions as 

described in Chapter 9 should be considered. 

TESTING FOR AND ABATING LEAD-BASED PAINT

TESTS FOR MEASURING THE LEAD CONTENT OF PAINT ON WALLS HAVE LIMITATIONS; NEW 

TESTS FOR EVALUATING LEAD IN PAINT ARE BEING DEVELOPED. 

PROPER ABATEMENT MUST BE DONE BY EXPERTS; UNTRAINED PARENTS, PROPERTY OWNERS, 

WORKERS OR CONTRACTORS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT IT. 

NOTE: REMODELING OR REPAINTING HOMES WITH LEAD-BASED PAINT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED 

JUST AS HAZARDOUS AS ABATEMENT. WHENEVER LEAD-BASED PAINT MUST BE DISTURBED BY 

SANDING, SCRAPING, HEATING, OR OTHER FORMS OF ABRASION, THE SAME PRECAUTIONS 

SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR REMODELING OR REPAINTING AS FOR ABATEMENT ITSELF. 

INSPECTION AND TESTING

Several methods are available for determining the lead content of paint. These include XRF, wet chemical methods, 

and chemical spot tests. Although XRF analyzers are convenient, instruments available at the present time have 

limitations. A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, 1989) indicated possible 

substrate errors in the direct- reading XRF's of as much as + or - 2 mg/square cm. These errors were caused by 

differences in base materials in walls and trim. (At very high readings, for example, above 3 mg/ square cm, this 

error has no practical significance). The spectrum analyzer, while considerably more expensive than the direct 

reader, provided much more accurate results. Only fully trained and experienced personnel should use XRF 

analyzers. 

Wet chemical methods of analysis must be used if an XRF machine is not available or if it produces ambiguous 

results. Wet chemical methods require that a paint chip sample with all layers of paint on the surface be sent to a 

laboratory for analysis. Wet chemical analysis has two major disadvantages - results are not available immediately, 

and it is expensive. 

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Like XRF, chemical spot tests are performed on-site. A scratch is made through all layers of paint, and a chemical is 

placed on the scratch. If the scratch turns certain colors, further evaluation is needed. Chemical spot tests are 

qualitative, not quantitative, and the interpretation of the results is subjective. These tests are being refined and 

evaluated as to their safety, accuracy, and reliability. 

Further information on proper testing procedures for lead-based paint is in the NIST study report and the HUD 

Guidelines. 

The 1985 CDC statement on lead recommended an XRF value of 0.7 mg/ square cm as the maximum level of lead 

in paint in a residence. The HUD standard, mandated by Congress, is 1.0 mg/square cm. Several states have 

established their own XRF standards for lead in paint; these standards range from 0.7 mg/square cm to 1.2 

mg/square cm. The HUD document and some state regulations use a standard of 0.5% lead by weight for laboratory 

analysis. 

Lead in paint should always be considered a "potential" hazard. An immediate lead hazard exists when lead-based 

paint is: 1) chipping, peeling or flaking; 2) is chalking, thereby producing lead dust; 3) is on a part of a window 

which is abraded through the opening and closing of the window; 4) is on any surface which is walked on (like 

floors) or otherwise abraded; 5) can be mouthed by a child (for example, window sills); or 6) is disturbed by 

repainting or remodeling. A potential lead hazard can easily become an immediate hazard through natural aging, 

plumbing or roof leaks, or the paint being disturbed. All lead-based paint exceeding the action level should, 

therefore, be abated whenever possible. Otherwise, complicated records must be kept of unabated surfaces, and 

those surfaces must be inspected frequently to make certain that they have not become immediate hazards. 

When inspecting for lead-based paint hazards, care must be taken to evaluate all types of surfaces, including walls, 

ceilings, doors and windows, trim and jambs, woodwork, stairway components, porch components, garages, sheds, 

fences, play equipment, and any other structures on the premises. Because of legal requirements in some areas, it 

may be necessary to test every surface that may be painted with lead paint (that is, every window, every door, every 

piece of trim, etc.). Often, however, abatement decisions can be made without this costly and time-consuming 

approach. Even with an XRF, a full inspection of all surfaces in an average home may take 4 hours or more. 

Sometimes, extrapolating XRF results to untested surfaces may make sense. Such extrapolation, however, should 

only be used for positive results. For example, if test results for one window are positive for lead, it is safe to 

assume that all similar windows are painted with lead-based paint; if test results for one window are negative, it is 

not safe to assume that no windows have lead- based paint. 

Recent studies have indicated that many children are poisoned by lead-contaminated dust ingested through normal 

hand-to-mouth activity. This dust can come from lead contaminated soil that is tracked into the home on shoes or 

from the clothes of a parent who works with lead. However, the most common source of lead dust in the average 

old house is lead-based paint. Some believe that the level of lead dust in a house can be used as a measure of the 

severity of the immediate hazard. 

ABATEMENT

Proper abatement includes the following steps: 

1. Proper training of all workers involved in the abatement. 

2. Protecting those workers whenever they are in the abatement area. 

3. Containing lead-bearing dust and debris. 

4. Replacing, encapsulating, or removing lead-based paint. 

5. Cleaning the abatement area thoroughly. 

6. Disposing of abatement debris properly. 

7. Inspecting to make certain the property is ready for reoccupancy. 

Abatement should never be attempted by untrained parents, property owners, or contractors. The property owner's 

responsibility is not met until all the above steps have been completed. 

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PREPARATION: Just prior to abatement, all personal belongings, movable furniture, and drapes should be 

removed from the abatement area. In homes with deteriorated lead-based paint, furniture may be highly 

contaminated with lead dust. It is recommended that badly soiled carpets and drapes be discarded because of the 

difficulty of removing lead from them. Furniture should be cleaned before it is returned to the abated dwelling or it 

should be replaced. Wood, metal, glass and plastic surfaces should be washed with a high phosphate detergent. If 

possible, all upholstered furniture, carpets, drapes, and bare surfaces should be vacuumed with a High Efficiency 

Particle Accumulator (HEPA). 

PRECAUTIONS: Residents and their belongings should remain out of their homes during abatement. Under no 

circumstances should children and pregnant women be allowed to enter the dwelling unit during the abatement 

because abatement can generate large quantities of hazardous lead dust. 

TRAINING: All workers involved in a lead abatement project should be properly trained in the following: health 

effects of lead; proper procedures for worker protection, including procedures for personal hygiene and for wearing 

and caring for respirators; containment of an abatement project; various methods for abating lead-based paint and 

the safety and environmental hazards involved with each; and procedures for transporting and disposing of 

abatement debris properly. 

WORKER PROTECTION: All workers on a lead abatement project and their families must be protected from the 

hazardous lead dust that will be generated. The minimum acceptable protection would be coveralls (preferably 

disposable); shoe coverings; hair covering; gloves; goggles; and a properly fitted, negative-pressure, half-mask 

respirator with a HEPA filter. Other, more protective respirators may be needed to protect from hazards such as 

organic vapors. If the abatement methods used would generate significant quantities of lead dust or organic vapors, 

workers must wear more protective respirators, such as supplied air-respirators. 

The potential hazard to workers of lead dust INGESTION is as significant, if not more significant, than inhalation. 

Workers must not eat, drink, or smoke on the job; and hands and face must be washed before breaks and at the end 

of the day. On-sight showers should, if possible, be provided. If on-site showers are not available, workers must 

shower and wash their hair immediately upon returning home. They must be careful not to carry hazardous levels of 

lead dust home on their bodies, shoes, or clothing. Therefore, work clothes should not be worn home; either 

workers should wear protective workclothes instead of street clothes at the worksite or they should wear protective 

garments over their street clothes. Work clothes should be disposed of or laundered by the employer to prevent the 

contamination of automobiles, homes, etc. with dust; lead-contaminated clothing should be handled with care and 

should not be laundered with other clothing of the worker or his family. 

Note: The chapter in the HUD guidelines on worker protection was revised and published separately in the Federal 

Register on September 28, 1990 (5SFR39873). 

CONTAINMENT: The work area should be contained with plastic (6 mil) to protect other living areas, yards, 

heating and ventilation systems, etc. from contamination. All nonmovable furnishings, such as counters, cabinets, 

and radiators should be covered with plastic. All floors should also be covered with plastic to prevent lead dust from 

being deposited in cracks and crevices and from being ground into the surface during the abatement. 

ABATEMENT: Abatement methods fall into three categories: 

1. replacement, 

2. encapsulation or enclosure, and 

3. paint removal. 

These categories are discussed in more detail as follows: 

REPLACEMENT: Removing the building component (such as a window, door, or baseboard) and replacing it with 

a new one. 

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ENCAPSULATION: Covering a lead-painted surface with a material that will effectively prevent access to the 

lead-based paint and that will also prevent lead-bearing dust from that surface from entering the living environment. 

PAINT REMOVAL: Stripping paint by heat, chemical, or mechanical means. This can be done either on-site or at 

the premises of a chemical stripping firm. 

Certain methods of removing lead-based paint may be particularly hazardous to both the worker and the building 

occupants and may be banned in some areas. They are: 

1. Removing paint with an open-flame torch or other heating device that operates at temperatures likely to 

volatilize lead (the melting point of lead is 621 degrees Fahrenheit). 

2. Machine sanding surfaces with lead-based paint. 

3. Sand blasting lead-based paint, except when the equipment is fitted with a vacuum device that prevents the 

dispersal of the debris. 

4. Uncontained hydro-blasting. 

5. Using chemical strippers containing methylene chloride. Methylene chloride is extremely toxic and protecting 

workers from exposure to this chemical is difficult. 

If possible, all surfaces painted with lead-based paint should be abated by replacement, encapsulation, or paint 

removal. Ordinary paint is never an appropriate encapsulant; it is only part of a temporary maintenance procedure. 

Encapsulation materials should be durable and, where possible, affixed with both fasteners and adhesive. Paintlike 

coatings should be used with caution. Only coatings and adhesives that are proven to be safe and effective should be 

used. Any material that will eventually chip, peel, or flake upon aging or from water damage is not appropriate. 

Paint removal is potentially the most hazardous abatement method because considerable amounts of lead dust and 

lead residue are generated. Paint removal from porous surfaces, such as wood or concrete, ALWAYS leaves 

significant amounts of lead residue. This residue may not be visible and removing it requires extremely vigorous 

cleaning procedures (alternating washing with a high phosphate detergent and HEPA vacuuming (see below)). 

Painting over this residue can lead to lead dust problems when this paint begins to deteriorate or when it is abraded. 

Of particular concern are friction surfaces, such as window and door jambs. 

Workers using any method that generates large volumes of dust or fumes should use caution. Such methods 

increase the difficulty of worker protection and the likelihood that hazardous levels of lead-bearing dust will remain 

in the dwelling unit or be deposited in the soil surrounding the home. Demolishing older structures with lead-based 

paint likewise can result in deposition of lead-bearing dust into the soil or on neighboring property, and dust 

suppression techniques should be used. 

CLEAN-UP: All lead abatement activity is likely to generate quantities of hazardous lead dust. Unless this dust is 

properly cleaned, the dwelling unit will be more hazardous after abatement than it was before. This dust is difficult 

to remove. Daily clean- up, consisting of misting debris with water, carefully sweeping it, and placing it in double 

4-mil or 6-mil plastic bags, is necessary to minimize the risk to workers of accumulated lead dust. 

After abatement and before repainting, all surfaces in the dwelling must be thoroughly vacuumed with a HEPA 

vacuum; wet washed, preferably with a high phosphate detergent such as trisodium phosphate; and then vacuumed 

again. The property should be visually inspected before being repainted. The inspector should ascertain that all 

surfaces covered with lead-based paint have been abated and that no visible dust or debris remains on site. 

Several states have adopted a post-abatement dust standard which has been included in the HUD Guidelines. This 

standard was set mainly on the basis of practicality rather than a health or risk assessment, and further research is 

needed on the adequacy and appropriateness of that standard. The standard allows the following maximum levels of 

lead in dust: 

 Floors 200 ug per square foot 

 Window Sills 500 ug per square foot 

 Window Wells 800 ug per square foot 

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Inspectors and persons collecting dust samples and laboratories measuring dust lead levels should be thoroughly 

familiar with the recommended sampling and analysis protocols for dust in the HUD Guidelines. 

After the inspection, abated surfaces should be repainted, if appropriate. Wooden floors should receive a coat of 

deck enamel or urethane, concrete floors should be sealed with deck enamel, and linoleum or tile floors should be 

waxed. Sealing the floors will bind any remaining dust particles and enable the occupants to clean those surfaces 

easily. 

DISPOSAL: Certain wastes from a lead-based paint abatement project, either liquid or solid, may be classified as 

hazardous. If so, they will have to be treated as such and handled by a licensed transporter or treatment firm. In any 

case, all debris from an abatement project, whether classified as hazardous or not, must be contained and 

transported in such a way as to prevent the dispersal of lead bearing dust, chips, or liquid into the environment. 

Lead debris should never be sent to a solid waste incinerator, a disposal method that disperses lead into the air. 

REFERENCES

HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). Comprehensive and workable plan for the abatement of 

lead-based paint in privately owned housing: report to Congress. Washington (DC): HUD, 1990. 

NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology). Methods for measuring lead concentrations in paint films. 

Washington (DC): NIST, 1989. 

CHAPTER 9. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE 

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY LEVEL INTERVENTION INCLUDES 

Screening and surveillance. 

Risk assessment and integrated prevention planning. 

Outreach and education. 

Infrastructure development. 

Hazard reduction. 

In theory, primary prevention has always been the goal of childhood lead poisoning prevention programs. In 

practice, however, most programs focus exclusively on secondary prevention, dealing with children who have 

already been poisoned. As programs shift the emphasis to primary prevention, their efforts must be designed to 

systematically identify and remediate environmental sources of lead, including, most importantly, dwellings 

containing old lead paint. 

The shift from case management to community-level intervention will require a fundamental shift in perspective. 

The focus must shift from the individual child to the population of children at risk and the environment in which 

they live. The purpose of community-level intervention is to identify and respond to sources, not cases, of lead 

poisoning. The responsibility for addressing lead poisoning will have to be expanded beyond health agencies to 

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include a variety of housing, environmental, and social service agencies at the local, county, state, and national 

level. 

TO BE SUCCESSFUL, COMMUNITY-LEVEL INTERVENTION WILL INVOLVE AT LEAST FIVE TYPES 

OF ACTIVITIES: 

1. Screening and surveillance: Determining populations at risk and the locations of the worst exposures. 

2. Risk assessment and integrated prevention planning: Analyzing all available data to assess sources of lead, 

exposure patterns, and high-risk populations and developing primary prevention plans. 

3. Outreach and education: Informing health-care providers, parents, property owners, and other key people 

about lead poisoning prevention. 

4. Infrastructure development: Finding the resources needed for a successful program of risk reduction. 

5. Hazard reduction: Reducing the hazards of lead-based paint and lead in dust and soil, particularly in high-risk 

buildings and neighborhoods. 

SURVEILLANCE

TO IDENTIFY THE HIGHEST RISKS: 

Collect data on blood lead levels. 

Conduct environmental surveys. 

Collect demographic data. 

For the most effective allocation of resources, data on the extent of the lead poisoning problems and the location of 

the worst lead hazards must be available for study. By combining data on blood lead levels, environmental sources 

of lead, and community demographics, public health agencies can identify and quantify the risk of lead poisoning in 

the community. 

DATA ON BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

Results of regular blood lead screening for pre-school children (as recommended in Chapter 6 of this report) will 

eventually provide an important source of information on the distribution of lead hazards in a community. Current 

data, which are based on limited public screening or the experience of practitioners or clinics, cannot provide the 

true prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in the children of a community. Communities may need to undertake 

additional, focused screening surveys to obtain data on the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels. Even after 

near-universal screening is in place, such targeted screening efforts will continue to be necessary in areas and 

populations in which substantial numbers of children do not have regular pediatric health-care providers. To be 

accurate, such surveys should use door-to-door (rather than fixed-site) sampling and blood lead (rather than EP) 

analysis. 

Health officials can evaluate risks better if they have the results of all blood lead tests, not just the elevated blood 

lead levels. A convenient mechanism for gathering such information is for laboratories to report all blood lead 

testing results to an appropriate local or state health agency. Where mandatory reporting is not in place, health 

agencies should work with laboratories and pediatric health- care providers to obtain as much data as possible on 

blood lead test results. 

ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS

Environmental surveys that are designed to identify the common sources of childhood lead exposure can be 

undertaken in conjunction with or as a complement to community-based surveys of blood lead levels. 

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Environmental surveys do not, however, replace measurement of children's blood lead levels. The environmental 

sources and pathways of lead that can be assessed in environmental surveys include lead-based paint, lead in dust 

and soil, lead in drinking water, lead from industrial sources and wastes, and lead from unusual sources such as folk 

medicines or ceramicware. 

An environmental survey of the sources of lead around children's homes (paint, dust, and soil) can be undertaken in 

conjunction with a door-to-door blood lead screening program. A team would consist of a nurse or phlebotomist 

who would obtain the blood samples and an inspector who could use the most cost-effective combination of 

measurements of lead in dust, soil, and paint (for example, XRF analyzers, chemical spot tests, or removal of paint 

chips for laboratory analysis). When screening for lead-based paint in housing, inspectors should obtain 

representative data on the prevalence of hazards and need not undertake the type of comprehensive inspections 

described in Chapter 8. Protocols for environmental sampling must be developed, and inspectors must be trained in 

sampling techniques before the survey program begins. 

In addition to looking for lead hazards in housing, a comprehensive environmental lead testing program could look 

for other lead sources, including drinking water in schools and residential buildings, soil in playgrounds and 

schoolyards, street dusts, and lead-based paint in nonresidential buildings such as day-care centers and schools. In 

some cases, environmental data obtained for other purposes may be useful. For example, the federal Safe Drinking 

Water Act and Lead Contamination Control Act requires some testing for lead in drinking water, so health officials 

could, therefore, contact water suppliers and school officials to obtain test results. Agricultural extension services 

may have data on lead levels in soil. 

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Health surveys, such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), have correlated 

children's blood lead levels with demographic factors such as family income and place of residence (for example, 

center city vs. suburbs). Demographic data now becoming available from the 1990 census can be used to broadly 

identify high- risk areas. Variables to consider include the age of housing (pre- 1960 housing has the most lead), 

income levels, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and the number or density of preschool children in the area. For best 

results, communities would use this demographic information to predict where the greatest lead hazards might be 

located and then to conduct appropriate blood lead or environmental surveys to see if the predictions are true. Once 

the most predictive demographic variables have been identified, algorithms or survey instruments could be designed 

to accurately predict which areas pose the greatest risk on the basis of demographic data alone. 

RISK ASSESSMENT AND INTEGRATED PREVENTION PLANNING

Risk assessment involves using all available data to evaluate community lead hazards. 

Primary prevention planning should include representatives from the private and public sectors. 

A primary prevention plan should-include outreach and education programs, infrastructure development, and hazard 

reduction. 

Public health officials should use all of the information at their disposal blood lead screening results, environmental 

survey data, and demographic information to create the most accurate picture of community lead hazards, including 

sources of lead, exposure patterns, and high-risk populations. Whenever possible, officials should focus on specific 

sources and the smallest pertinent geographic area of concern. In some new suburban communities, for example, the 

risks may not justify a communitywide program to abate lead-based paint in housing. Nevertheless, there may be a 

need to address specific sources (for example, drinking water in new houses with lead solder) or specific 

neighborhoods (for example, an old part of town where Victorian homes are being rehabilitated). 

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Because lead poisoning is completely preventable, public health officials should assess the success of current 

prevention efforts. Local communities should focus on how well the hazards of lead are being addressed in that 

community, rather than on whether the community has a bigger or smaller lead problem than other communities. 

Once a decision is made to address at least some aspects of the lead problem in a community, public health officials 

should develop an integrated primary prevention plan. The plan should be assembled with input from other agencies 

(including housing and environmental agencies), pediatric health-care providers, parents, teachers, community 

groups, and other interested persons. The plan should identify which sources, geographic areas, or high-risk 

populations are to be addressed. Each element of the plan should include a description of who will have the primary 

responsibility for implementation, where financial and other resources will be obtained, and a time schedule for 

implementation. Plans should be as specific as possible in order to allow public officials and community groups to 

periodically assess whether and how the plan is being carried out. 

The remaining sections of this chapter address in more detail three types of activities that should be addressed in 

any comprehensive primary prevention plan: outreach and education, infrastructure development, and hazard 

abatement. 

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

MUST TAKE PLACE DURING EVERY PHASE OF THE COMMUNITY ACTIVITY. 

SHOULD INVOLVE MANY AGENCIES AND BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. 

SHOULD INVOLVE MANY PEOPLE IN VARIOUS PROFESSIONS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO 

REAL ESTATE. 

Outreach and education must take place during every phase of the community activity, beginning before health and 

environmental screening and ending when risk abatement is complete. Among the most important targets for 

outreach and educational programs are local officials, health-care providers, parents, property owners, day-care 

providers, and early childhood educators. The outreach programs can be carried out through pamphlets and other 

written materials, local news media, public meetings, school programs, and social service agencies. 

Local health officials who have traditionally carried out all or most lead poisoning prevention activities in a 

community must begin by reaching out to other agencies that will have a role in communitywide primary 

prevention efforts. When possible, lead poisoning prevention should be part of an integrated program for creating 

safe and affordable housing or for providing poor people in the community with the full range of needed social 

services. Local, state, and federal agencies dealing with health, housing, environmental, and children's issues should 

be contacted. 

Many health-care providers are unaware of the most recent developments in the field of lead poisoning prevention. 

Educational campaigns by local officials, licensing agencies, professional associations, clinics, and hospitals are 

needed to ensure that pediatric health- care providers understand current thinking about the health and 

environmental aspects of lead poisoning. Outreach through pamphlets, grand rounds, and continuing education 

programs should be targeted to pediatricians, family practitioners, pediatric and community health nurses, 

obstetricians, and midwives. 

For parents, including pregnant women, initial education should focus on the hazards of lead and the need for blood 

lead testing of children at regular intervals. Parents should know about risk factors that warrant frequent screening 

(Chapter 6). Educational materials should help parents understand the implications of the screening results. Finally, 

parents (and parents-to-be) should be informed about simple steps that can be taken to reduce risks, such as proper 

nutrition (Chapter 4) and housekeeping measures (Chapter 4). Such outreach efforts can be targeted to individual 

parents and to groups of parents and prospective parents. 

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Property owners and managers, realtors, and other real estate professionals need to learn how to maintain property 

in a safe and habitable condition. Banks, mortgage companies, and insurance companies could play an important 

role in conveying this information at critical junctures, such as when a property owner is buying a property or 

seeking financing for major renovations. In addition, property owners should be given written material that explains 

how to remove lead safely. 

Day-care providers and early childhood educators should be given information about lead poisoning and its 

sequelae. Those taking care of young children should also be informed about the need to identify and abate lead 

hazards in day-care buildings and schools. Parents of lead-poisoned children can aid in this process by informing 

their child's teachers about the past lead poisoning, so that the teacher can make better informed decisions about the 

need for remedial measures. 

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES: 

REGULATIONS AND RULES ON REMOVING LEAD. 

TRAINED INSPECTION AND ABATEMENT CONTRACTORS. 

TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR FAMILIES WHOSE HOMES ARE UNDERGOING ABATEMENT. 

FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING 

ABATEMENT. 

Before a community can launch a broad-based program of preventive deleading and hazard reduction, many 

elements must be in place to support such activities. 

First, regulations or other rules and standards are needed to define when and how inspections and deleading are to 

occur. One local agency (housing, environmental, or health) should be designated as the lead agency with respect to 

community intervention activities and a system should be put in place for coordinating regulatory and other 

activities among all involved agencies. 

A second requirement is contractors who are trained 1) to identify lead hazards, including lead-based paint, and 2) 

to remove lead-based paint safely. Besides inspectors, abatement planners, contractors, supervisors, and workers are 

needed. Optimally, such persons should be licensed or certified by a federal or state agency to ensure that their work 

is of high quality. 

A third infrastructure need is temporary housing for families during the deleading process. Because lead-based paint 

should not be removed while homes and apartments are occupied, communities must develop strategies to provide 

temporary alternative housing for families that need it. Communities should consider developing "safe houses" 

where families can live temporarily at little or no cost while their homes are being deleaded. If families are 

encouraged to "double up" with friends, measures should be in place to ensure that the home or apartment being 

used for temporary housing is free of lead hazards. 

The final element of infrastructure involves financial resources for both the government agencies overseeing lead 

poisoning prevention programs and property owners or tenants seeking to delead. This may be the most difficult 

element, yet it is critical to a successful program. Existing federal and state housing funds (for example, Community 

Development Block Grants) can be used to finance lead removal if communities so choose. Starting in Fiscal Year 

1992, a limited number of loans for abatement may be available from the Department of Housing and Urban 

Development through the HOME program. 

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HAZARD ABATEMENT

HAZARD ABATEMENT MAY INVOLVE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT MULTIPLE 

ENVIRONMENTAL SOURCES AND PATHWAYS. 

ABATEMENT RESOURCES SHOULD BE TARGETED TO THE HIGHEST RISK NEIGHBORHOODS AND 

HOMES. 

THE GOAL OF HAZARD ABATEMENT IS THE SYSTEMATIC ELIMINATION OF LEAD HAZARDS IN 

THE COMMUNITY. 

The final and most important step is actually abating the lead hazards. This may involve many activities, such as 

corrosion control to reduce the amount of lead in drinking water and covering or removing lead- contaminated soil 

in parks and playgrounds. In many cases, the primary risk will be lead-based paint and the primary form of risk 

reduction will be preventive deleading -- abatement that occurs before children have been poisoned. Before the 

hazard abatement phase, the community must decide which lead hazards to target. Information gathered during risk 

assessment should be used to ensure that abatement resources are directed toward the highest risk neighborhoods 

and buildings. 

Local officials have a variety of means at their disposal to promote preventive deleading -- from education and 

outreach, programs designed to increase voluntary deleading, financial assistance to encourage deleading, and 

regulatory mechanisms to require deleading. If voluntary efforts are to be encouraged, outreach must go beyond 

general information to provide building owners with specific information about how to survey a building for lead 

hazards and how to abate those hazards. 

If abatement is mandated by law, the law should require safe and effective abatements. Rental property owners 

should not be permitted to avoid abating their properties by evicting or refusing to rent to families with young 

children. 

Whatever mechanisms are used, the goal of hazard abatement must be to systematically eradicate the lead hazards 

in the community. Such a program will protect not only lead-poisoned children but all children and thus safeguard 

the community's future. 

APPENDIX I. CAPILLARY SAMPLING PROTOCOL

Micro specimens of blood collected by finger stick are widely used to measure lead levels, yet there is no consensus 

on what constitutes the best collection procedure. Published data on collection methods are scant, and much of the 

data that do exist were published 10 or more years ago, when technology was not as advanced and blood lead levels 

of concern were significantly higher. 

The high potential for lead contamination of capillary specimens during collection is well known (CDC, 1985; 

DeSilva and Donnan, 1980; Mitchell et al., 1974), and the special steps used to minimize the likelihood of 

contamination constitute the major differences among collection procedures. Special procedures used for 

minimizing contamination include thorough scrubbing of the hand and finger with soap and then alcohol (Sinclair 

and Dohnt, 1984; NECCLPP, 1985); using dilute nitric acid (Rosen, 1972; MHD, 1988); or using silicone or a 

similar barrier spray (Lyngbye et al., 1990; CDHS, 1990; NYSDH, 1989; Mitchell et al., 1974). 

Several types of containers for collecting children's blood (maximum volume < or =500 uL) have been introduced 

in recent years and are widely used by screening programs. The new containers are better than glass tubes, since 

glass capillary tubes are very fragile. Whether these new containers are suitable for collecting blood for lead 

measurement has not been extensively studied. 

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More research on these and other issues is clearly needed before the best finger stick collection procedures can be 

identified. Recognizing these constraints, a finger stick procedure for collecting blood lead specimens follows. 

A. NEEDED MATERIALS

1. Soap.

2. Alcohol swabs. If a surgical or other disinfectant soap is used, alcohol swabs can be eliminated.

3. Sterile cotton balls or gauze pads.

4. Silicone spray or swabs. The benefits of using a barrier spray, which forms a layer between the skin and 

blood droplets, have been debated. In addition to doubts about the spray's effectiveness in reducing specimen 

contamination, the spray makes the collection more expensive and complex. Some evidence exists, however, 

the spray reduces contamination (NYSDH, 1989; Mitchell et al., 1974), so it is included in this procedure.

5. Examination gloves.

6. Lancets. The type of lancet used is largely a matter of personal preference, so long as sterility is guaranteed.

7. Collection containers. If glass capillary tubes are used, sealing clay or tube caps will also be required. No 

additional supplied are needed for most other micro containers. The laboratory should be consulted to ensure 

than an appropriate size capillary tube is used.

8. Adhesive bandages.

9. Trash bags suitable for medical waste and containers for sharps. Bags containing medical waste should be 

clearly identified as such. 

10. Storage or mailing containers if needed. If specimens require shipment, follow the Postal Service or other 

appropriate regulations for shipping body fluids.

Materials used in the collection procedure that could contaminate the specimen (for example, blood containers, 

alcohol swabs, and barrier sprays) must be lead-free. Before selecting equipment for use in blood collection, consult 

with the laboratory about its requirements. In many cases, the laboratory will recommend or supply suitable 

collection equipment and may precheck the equipment for lead contamination. Some instrument manufacturers also 

supply collection materials that are pretested for lead content. 

B. PREPARING FOR BLOOD COLLECTION

All personnel who collect specimens should be well-trained in and thoroughly familiar with the collection 

procedure. The skill of the collector will greatly influence the specimen quality. All equipment should be within 

easy reach. The environment should be clean, secure, and as nonthreatening to the child as possible. Any necessary 

consent should be obtained before specimen collection begins, and the procedure should be explained to the child 

and the parent or guardian. Used materials should be discarded into appropriate waste containers suitable for 

medical waste immediately following use. 

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C. PREPARING THE FINGER FOR PUNCTURE

NOTE: PUNCTURING OF THE FINGERS OF INFANTS LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF AGE IS NOT 

RECOMMENDED. PUNCTURING OF THE HEEL IS MORE SUITABLE FOR THESE CHILDREN (NCCLS, 

1986). 

Collection personnel should wear examination gloves whenever the potential for contact with blood exists. If the 

gloves are coated with powder, it should be rinsed off with tap water. 

The child's hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and then dried with a clean, low lint towel. If water is 

unavailable, foam soaps can be used without water (D. Griffin, Louisville/Jefferson County Department of Health, 

personal communication). Plain, unprinted, nonrecycled towels are best (WSLH, 1985). If desired, a brush can be 

used for cleaning the finger; brushing during washing can increase blood circulation in the finger (CDHS, 1990). 

Once washed, the finger must not be allowed to come into contact with any surface, including the child's other 

fingers. 

The finger to be punctured (often the middle finger) must be free of any visible infection or wound; it should be 

massaged to increase circulation before being punctured with the lancet. This can be accomplished during or after 

washing (NYSDH, 1989; CDHS, 1990). 

STEPS FOR PREPARING THE CHILD'S FINGER 

1. Select examination gloves. If necessary, rinse them to remove powder. 

2. Wash the child's hands thoroughly with soap and water, and then dry them with an appropriate towel.

3. Grasp the finger that has been selected for puncture between your thumb and index finger with the palm of 

the child's hand facing up. 

4. If not done during washing (see preceding notes), massage the fleshy portion of the finger gently.

5. Clean the ball or pad of the finger to be punctured with the alcohol swab. Dry the fingertip using the sterile 

gauze or cotton ball. 

6. Apply the silicone barrier. If a spray is used, shake the can vigorously to mix the contents. Direct the spray 

away from child and collector. Silicone does not dry, and the finger can be punctured immediately. 

D. PUNCTURING OF THE FINGER AND FORMING DROPS OF BLOOD

1. Grasp the finger and quickly puncture it with a sterile lancet in a position slightly lateral of the center of the 

fingertip. 

2. Wipe off the first droplet of blood with the sterile gauze or cotton ball.

3. If blood flow is inadequate, gently message the proximal portion of the finger and then press firmly on the 

distal joint of the finger. A well-beaded drop of blood should form at the puncture site. 

4. Do not let the blood run down the finger or onto the fingernail. 

After the finger is ready, the puncture and subsequent steps of forming a drop of blood and filling the collection 

container should be performed quickly and efficiently, since any delay can make collection more difficult (for 

example, the blood may clot or the child may resist). Several types of lancets are suitable for puncturing children's 

fingers. The range from small manual lancet blades to spring-loaded assemblies. Regardless of the lancet used, the 

puncture should be made swiftly and cleanly and should be deep enough to allow adequate flow. 

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The site of the puncture should be slightly lateral to the ball of the finger. This region is generally less calloused, 

which makes puncturing easier and, possibly less painful (CDHS, 1990). The first drop of blood contains tissue 

fluids that will produce inaccurate results; it should be removed with a sterile gauze or cotton ball (NYSDH, 1989; 

CDHS, 1990). 

A barrier material such as silicone will help a distinct "bead" of blood to form, which aids collection. Blood that 

runs down the finger or around the fingernail is no longer suitable. Blood flows better if the punctured finger is kept 

lower than the heart. Inadequate blood flow can be improved by gently massaging the proximal portion of the finger 

in a distal direction, then pressing firmly at the distal joint of the punctured finger (restricting blood flow out of the 

fingertip) and gently squeezing the sides of the fingertip. Excessive squeezing will cause tissue fluid to be 

expressed, and the fluid will compromise specimen integrity (NYSDH, 1989; CDHS, 1990). Do not let the blood 

run down the finger or fingernail. 

E. FILLING THE COLLECTION CONTAINER

1. Continuing to grasp the finger, touch the tip of the collection container to the beaded drop of blood.

2. Draw the blood into the container maintaining continuous flow of blood. 

3. When full, cap or seal the container as appropriate.

4. Agitate the specimen to mix the anticoagulant through the blood. 

5. Check that the container is properly labeled, and place it in an appropriate storage area.

6. Stop the bleeding and cover the finger with an adhesive bandage. Bleeding should stop very quickly. If 

bleeding is slow to stop, apply pressure to the puncture site with a sterile gauze or a cotton ball. If bleeding 

continues after 3 to 5 minutes of applying pressure, consult a physician.

The proper procedure for filling and capping collection containers is somewhat specific to the container used. As a 

general rule, contact between the skin and the container is to be avoided. To prevent clotting of the specimen, blood 

must be mixed with the anticoagulant after filling the container. Depending on the container and anticoagulant used, 

the agitation needed can range from gentle rocking to vigorous shaking. Some procedures call for the collection 

container to be rotated during filling so that anticoagulant will be distributed quickly through the sample (MDPH, 

1990). 

To facilitate blood flow, many procedures call for the collection container be held nearly horizontal, with a slight 

downward angle. Blood flow into the container should be uninterrupted to avoid air bubbles in the specimen. 

Except for glass capillary tubes, containers come with appropriate caps, and these should be applied immediately 

following collection. Specimens in glass capillary tubes are often collected in duplicate and then sealed with rubber 

caps or plasticine sealing clay or both. Again, consulting with the laboratory and knowing the manufacturer's 

recommendations are important to ensure specimen integrity and suitability for analysis. 

REFERENCES

CDHS (California Department of Health Services). Childhood blood lead screening: finger stick blood sampling 

method. Berkeley (CA): CDHS, 1990. 

CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Preventing lead poisoning in young children: a statement by the Centers for 

Disease Control. Atlanta: CDC. 1985; CDC report no. 99-2230. 

De Silva PE, Donnan MB. Blood lead levels in Victorian Children. Med J Aust 1980;1:93. 

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Lyngbye T, Jorgensen PJ, Grandjean P, Hansen ON. Validity and interpretation of blood lead levels: a study of 

Danish school children. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1990;50:441-9. 

MDPH (Massachusetts Department of Public Health). Procedure for obtaining finger stick blood samples. Jamaica 

Plain (MA): MDPH, Childhood Lead Poisoning Program, 1990. 

MHD (Milwaukee Health Department). Generalized procedure finger stick blood (hematocrit and/or lead test). 

Milwaukee: MHD, 1988. 

Mitchell DG, Aldous KM, Ryan FJ. Mass screening for lead poisoning: capillary blood sampling and automated 

Delves-cup atomic-absorption analysis. N Y State J Med 1974;74:1599-603. 

NCCLS (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards). Procedures for the collection of diagnostic blood 

specimens by skin puncture- second edition. NCCLS publication H4-A2. Villanova (PA): NCCLS, 1986. 

NECCLP (New England Consortium of Childhood Lead Poisoning Programs). New England public health 

laboratory lead testing services {report}. Providence (RI): NECCLPP, 1985. 

NYSDH (New York State Department of Health). Blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin: a recommended 

procedure for collecting finger stick blood specimens. Albany (NY): NYSDH, Wadsworth Center for Laboratories 

and Research. 1989. 

Rosen JF. The microdetermination of blood lead in children by flameless atomic absorption: the carbon rod 

atomizer. J Lab Clin Med 1972;80: 567-76. 

Sinclair DF, Dohnt BR. Sampling and analysis techniques used in a blood lead survey of 1241 children in Port 

Pirie, South Australia. Clin Chem 1984;10:1616-9. 

WSLH (Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene). Complete sampling instructions for capillary lead. Madison (WI): 

WSLH, University of Wisconsin Center for Health Sciences, 1985. 

APPENDIX II. SUMMARY FOR THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE 

PROVIDER

THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL SUMMARIZES THOSE PARTS OF THE LEAD STATEMENT THAT ARE 

MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE SOME 

OF THE CRITICAL INFORMATION ON SUCH TOPICS AS PRIMARY PREVENTION, SOURCES OF LEAD 

IN THE ENVIRONMENT, AND ABATEMENT. MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THE TOPICS 

DESCRIBED HEREIN IS INCLUDED IN THE COMPLETE STATEMENT. 

CHAPTERS 1 AND 2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems in the United States today, and it is 

entirely preventable. Enough is now known about the sources and pathways of lead exposure and about ways of 

preventing this exposure to begin the efforts to permanently eradicate this disease. The persistence of lead poisoning 

in the United States, in light of all that is known, presents a singular and direct challenge to public health 

authorities, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and society. 

Previous lead statements issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have acknowledged the adverse effects 

of lead at lower and lower levels. In the most recent previous CDC lead statement, published in 1985, the threshold 

for action was set at a blood lead level of 25 ug/dL, although it was acknowledged that adverse effects occur below 

that level. In the past several years, however, the scientific evidence showing that some adverse effects occur at 

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blood lead levels at least as low as 10 ug/dL in children has become so overwhelming and compelling that it must 

be a major force in determining how we approach childhood lead exposure. 

Because 10 ug/dL is the lower level of the range at which effects are now identified, primary prevention activities -- 

communitywide environmental interventions and nutritional and educational campaigns should be directed at 

reducing children's blood lead levels at least to below 10 ug/dL. Blood lead levels between 10 and 14 ug/dL are in a 

border zone. While the overall goal is to reduce children's blood lead levels below 10 ug/dL, there are several 

reasons for not attempting to do interventions directed at individual children to lower blood lead levels of 10-14 

ug/dL. First, laboratory measurements of blood lead levels may be variable, so a blood lead level in this range may, 

in fact, be below 10 ug/dL. Secondly, effective environmental and medical interventions for children with blood 

lead levels in this range have not yet been identified and evaluated. Finally, the sheer numbers of children in this 

range would preclude effective case management and would detract from the individualized followup required by 

children who have higher blood lead levels. 

THE SINGLE, ALL-PURPOSE DEFINITION OF CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING HAS BEEN REPLACED 

WITH A MULTITIER APPROACH. Community prevention activities should be triggered by blood lead levels > 

or = 10 ug/dL. Medical evaluation and environmental investigation and remediation should be done for all children 

with blood lead levels > or = 20 ug/dL. All children with blood lead levels > or = 15 ug/dL require individual 

followup, including nutritional and educational interventions. Furthermore, depending on the availability of 

resources environmental investigation and remediation should be done for children with blood lead levels of 15-

19 ,ug/dL, if such levels persist. The highest priority should continue to be the children with the highest blood lead 

levels. 

Other differences between the 1985 and 1991 statements are as follows: 

SCREENING TEST OF CHOICE. Because the erythrocyte protoporphyrin level is not sensitive enough to identify 

children with elevated blood lead levels below about 25 ug/dL, the screening test of choice is now blood lead 

measurement. 

UNIVERSAL SCREENING. Since virtually all children are at risk for lead poisoning, a phase in of universal 

screening is recommended, except in communities where large numbers or percentages of children have been 

screened and found not to have lead poisoning. The full implementation of this will require the ability to measure 

blood lead levels on capillary samples and the availability of cheaper and easier-to-use methods of blood lead 

measurement. 

PRIMARY PREVENTION. Efforts need to be increasingly focused on preventing lead poisoning before it occurs. 

This will require communitywide environmental interventions, as well as educational and nutritional campaigns. 

SUCCIMER. In January, 1991, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved succimer, an oral chelating agent, 

for chelation of children with blood lead levels over 45 ug/dL. 

CHAPTER 3. SOURCES AND PATHWAYS OF LEAD EXPOSURE

A child's environment is full of lead. Children are exposed to lead from different sources (such as paint, gasoline, 

and solder) and through different pathways (such as air, food, water, dust, and soil). Although all U.S. children are 

exposed to some lead from food, air, dust, and soil, some children are exposed to high dose sources of lead. Leadbased paint is the most widespread and dangerous high- dose source of lead exposure for preschool children. 

Lead-based paint (containing up to 50% lead) was in widespread use through the 1940s. Although the use and 

manufacture of interior lead- based paint declined during the 1950s and thereafter, exterior lead- based paint and 

lesser amounts of interior lead-based paint continued to be available until the mid-1970s. (Lead-based paint 

produced after the 1940s tended to have much lower lead concentrations than lead- based paint produced earlier.) 

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Pica, the repeated ingestion of nonfood substances, has been implicated in cases of lead poisoning; however, a child 

does not have to eat paint chips to become poisoned. More commonly, children ingest dust and soil contaminated 

with lead from paint which flaked or chalked as it aged or which has been disturbed during home maintenance and 

renovation. This lead-contaminated house dust, ingested via normal repetitive hand-to-mouth activity, is now 

recognized as a major contributor to the total body burden of lead in children. Because of the critical role of dust as 

an exposure pathway, children living in sub-standard housing and in homes undergoing renovation are at particular 

risk for lead poisoning. 

Many cases of childhood lead poisoning that result from renovation or remodeling of homes have been reported. 

Before older homes undergo any renovation that may generate dust, they should be tested for the presence of leadbased paint. If such paint is found, contractors experienced in working with lead-based paint should do the 

renovations. 

Other potentially important sources and pathways of lead exposure include soil and dust, water, "take home" 

exposures from parental occupations and hobbies, water, and food. Very high-dose exposure may occasionally 

result from sources other than lead-based paint in specific situations. 

CHAPTER 4. THE ROLE OF THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER

Pediatric health-care providers, working as part of the public health team, must play a critical role in the prevention 

and management of childhood lead poisoning. Their roles include: 1) educating parents about key causes of 

childhood lead poisoning; 2) screening children and interpreting blood lead test results; 3) working with appropriate 

groups in the public and private sectors to make sure that poisoned children receive appropriate medical, 

environmental, and social service followup; and 4) coordinating with public health officials and others involved in 

lead-poisoning prevention activities. 

Along with educating parents about nutrition and developmental stages, providers should discuss the potential 

hazards of lead. They should focus on the major likely preventable sources of high-dose lead poisoning in their 

communities. Parents should be told of the potential dangers of peeling lead-based paint, the potential hazards of 

renovating older homes, and the need for good work practices if their occupations or hobbies expose them to lead. 

In some communities parents should be warned about the potential for lead exposure from improperly fired 

ceramicware and imported pottery. In others, where water lead levels are a concern, parents could be advised to use 

only fully-flushed water (that is, water that has not been standing in pipes for a prolonged time) from the cold-water 

tap for drinking, cooking, or preparing infant formula. 

Pediatric health-care providers should provide information about simple ways parents can reduce exposure to lead. 

Some examples of these are discussed below. 

HOUSEKEEPING INTERVENTIONS. Particularly in older homes, which may have been painted with lead-based 

paint, interventions to reduce exposure to dust may help reduce blood lead levels. These include: 

• Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint. Pay special attention to windows and window 

sills and wells. 

• If the house was built before about 1960 and has hard surface floors, wet mop them at least once a week with 

a high phosphate solution (for example, 6-8% phosphates). (The phosphate content of automatic dishwashing 

detergents and other cleaning substances is often listed on the label and may be high enough for this purpose. 

Otherwise, trisodium phosphate can be purchased in hardware stores.) Other hard surfaces (such as window 

sills and baseboards) should also be wiped with a similar solution. Do not vacuum hard surface floors or 

window sills or wells, since this will disperse dust. Vacuum cleaners with agitators remove dust from rugs 

more effectively than vacuum cleaners with suction only. 

• Wash your child's hands and face before he/she eats. 

• Wash toys and pacifiers frequently. 

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OTHER INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LEAD. 

• If soil around the home is or is likely to be contaminated with lead (for example, if the home was built before 

1960 or the house is near a major highway), plant grass or other ground cover. Since the highest 

concentrations of lead in a yard tend to be near surfaces that were once painted with lead paint, like exterior 

walls, if exterior lead paint was likely to be used, plant bushes around the outside of your house so your child 

cannot play there. 

• In areas where the lead content of water exceeds the drinking water standard, use only fully-flushed water 

from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and making formula. In communities where water conservation 

is a concern, use first-flush water for other purposes. 

• Do not store food in open cans, particularly if the cans are imported. 

• Do not use pottery or ceramicware that was improperly fired or is meant for decorative use for food storage or 

service. 

• Make sure that take-home exposures are not occurring from parental occupations or hobbies (Chapter 3). 

Not all aspects of a poisoned child's followup will be managed by the pediatric health-care provider, although the 

provider is an important part of the team. Through his or her interactions with the child and family and the 

responsible public health agency, the provider should make sure that any appropriate interventions are occurring. If 

the child needs a medical evaluation (for a blood lead level > or = 20 ug/dL) or pharmacologic treatment (Chapter 

7), either the provider should do it or should refer the child to a place that treats large numbers of poisoned children. 

The provider should make sure that the child receives an appropriate environmental investigation and remediation 

with the help of the public health agencies. Particularly if the child is developmentally delayed, the provider should 

refer the child to an appropriate infant stimulation or child development program. In many cases, lead-poisoned 

children and their families will also benefit from social services followup. 

CHAPTER 5. THE ROLE OF STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES

A variety of local, state and federal agencies play a role in preventing childhood lead poisoning. Pediatric health 

care providers and parents should know about what these agencies do so that they can use these resources 

effectively. In turn, these agencies must coordinate their activities to ensure that all aspects of childhood lead 

poisoning prevention -- health, housing, and environment -- are being addressed, and to provide the most 

comprehensive and cost-effective services to at-risk children, their parents, and their health-care providers. 

CHAPTER 6. SCREENING

Traditionally, the main purpose of a childhood lead poisoning screening program has been to identify asymptomatic 

lead-poisoned children and to intervene as quickly as possible to reduce their blood lead levels. An additional 

benefit of screening programs is that abatement of lead sources for poisoned children results in prevention of lead 

poisoning for children who would have been exposed to those sources in the future. As the focus in lead poisoning 

prevention turns more to primary prevention, an additional benefit of screening is that data generated can be used in 

targeting interventions to places with children at high risk for lead poisoning. 

In 1984, the last year for which estimates are available, it is believed that between 3 and 4 million children younger 

than age 6 years (17% of all U.S. children in this age group) had blood lead levels above 15 ug/dL. Furthermore, 

about 74% of occupied, privately owned housing built before 1980 contains lead-based paint (defined as > or = 1 

mg/square cm). BECAUSE ALMOST ALL U.S. CHILDREN ARE AT RISK FOR LEAD POISONING 

(ALTHOUGH SOME CHILDREN ARE AT HIGHER RISK THAN OTHERS), OUR GOAL IS THAT ALL 

CHILDREN SHOULD BE SCREENED, UNLESS IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH 

THESE CHILDREN LIVE DOES NOT HAVE A CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PROBLEM. (Deciding that 

no problem exists requires that a large number or percentage of children be tested.) The full implementation of this 

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to-use methods of blood lead measurement. Children at highest risk for lead poisoning are the highest priority for 

screening. Table 6 1 provides guidance on the groups for which repeated screening is most strongly indicated. 

Children ages 6 to 72 months who live in or are frequent visitors to deteriorated old buildings, including day care 

centers, make up the highest priority group. Because the highest concentrations of lead in paint were used in the 

early 1900s, homes built before about 1960 are of greatest concern. Children whose homes are being renovated are 

also at extremely high risk. Since siblings, house mates, visitors, and playmates of children with confirmed lead 

poisoning may have similar exposures to lead, they also should be promptly screened. In communities with a high 

prevalence of lead poisoning, health departments should consider door-to-door screening, since many children with 

lead poisoning may be missed by fixed-site screening. 

Children with parents whose work or hobbies involve lead may also risk lead exposure (Chapter 3). Also, children 

living near lead smelters or other industries where lead is processed may be at increased risk for lead poisoning. 

In general, screening and assessment for lead poisoning should focus on children younger than 72 months of age, 

particularly on children younger than 36 months of age. Young children engage in the most hand-to-mouth activity 

(and therefore are at highest risk for lead exposure) and have the most rapidly developing nervous systems, making 

them more vulnerable to the effects of lead. Children with developmental delays, who may exhibit pica or have 

more extensive hand-to-mouth activity than other children, would be expected to be at increased risk for lead 

poisoning even if they are 72 months of age and older. These children may have to be screened more often during 

early infancy, and may require screening into their school years. 

Children who have unexplained seizures, neurological symptoms, abdominal pain, or other symptoms that are 

consistent with lead poisoning should also have their blood lead levels measured. In addition, the possibility of lead 

poisoning should be considered in any child with growth failure, developmental delay, hyperactivity, behavior 

disorders, hearing loss, anemia, etc. 

SCREENING METHOD

Since erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) is not sensitive enough to identify more than a small percentage of children 

with blood lead levels between 10 and 25 ug/dL and misses many children with blood lead levels > or = 25 ug/dL, 

measurement of blood lead levels should replace the EP test as the primary screening method. Unless contamination 

of capillary blood samples can be prevented, lead levels should be measured on venous samples. Obtaining 

capillary specimens is more feasible at many screening sites. Contamination of capillary specimens obtained by 

finger prick can be minimized if trained personnel follow proper technique. Elevated blood lead results obtained on 

capillary specimens should be considered presumptive and must be confirmed using venous blood. At the present 

time, not all laboratories will measure lead levels on capillary specimens. 

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE AND ASSESSING RISK

Guidance on childhood lead poisoning prevention and assessment of the risk of lead poisoning should be part of 

routine pediatric care. Anticipatory guidance is discussed in detail in Chapter 4. The guidance and risk assessment 

should emphasize the sources and exposures that are of greatest concern in the child's community (Chapter 3). 

Because lead-based paint has been used in housing throughout the United States, in most communities it will be 

necessary to focus on this source. 

Table 6 2 has sample questions for assessing a child's risk for high- dose lead exposure. Starting at 6 months of age 

and at each regular office visit thereafter, pediatric health-care providers should discuss childhood lead poisoning 

and assess the child's risk for high-dose exposure. The questions asked should be tailored to the likely sources of 

exposure in the community. THE QUESTIONS ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

On the basis of responses to questions such as those in Table 6 2, children can be categorized as low or high risk for 

high-dose lead exposure. If the answers to all questions are negative, the child is at low risk for high-dose lead 

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exposure and should be screened by a blood lead test at 12 months and again, if possible, at 24 months (since blood 

lead levels often peak at ages greater than 12 months). If the answer to any question is positive, the child is 

potentially at high risk for high-dose lead exposure, and a blood lead test should be obtained. FOR CHILDREN 

PREVIOUSLY AT LOW RISK, ANY HISTORY SUGGESTING THAT EXPOSURE TO LEAD HAS 

INCREASED SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UP WITH A BLOOD LEAD TEST. 

SCREENING SCHEDULE

The following sections provide a minimum screening schedule for children aged 6 up to 36 and 36 to 72 months. 

The schedule is not rigid. Rather, it is a guide for pediatric health-care providers and screening programs to use in 

conjunction with other pertinent information in determining when an individual child should be tested. Programs 

and pediatric health-care providers may choose to screen more frequently than described below. 

CHILDREN 6 UP TO 36 MONTHS OF AGE: 

A questionnaire should be used at each routine office visit to assess the potential for high-dose lead exposure and, 

therefore, the appropriate frequency of screening. 

SCHEDULE IF THE CHILD IS AT LOW RISK FOR HIGH DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE BY QUESTIONNAIRE: 

A child at LOW RISK for exposure to high-dose lead sources by questionnaire should have an initial blood lead test 

at 12 months of age. 

If the 12-month blood lead result is < 10 UG/DL, the child should be retested at 24 months if possible, since that is 

when blood lead levels peak. 

If a blood lead test result is 10-14 UG/DL, the child should be retested every 3 to 4 months. After 2 consecutive 

measurements are < 10 ug/dL or three are < 15 ug/dL, the child should be retested in a year. 

If any blood lead test result is > 15 UG/DL, the child needs individual case management and should be retested at 

least every 3 to 4 months. 

SCHEDULE IF THE CHILD IS AT HIGH RISK FOR HIGH DOSE LEAD EXPOSURE BY QUESTIONNAIRE: 

A child at HIGH RISK for exposure to high-dose lead sources by questionnaire should have an initial blood lead 

test at 6 months of age. 

If the initial blood lead result is < 10 UG/DL, the child should be rescreened every 6 months. After 2 subsequent 

consecutive measurements are < 10 ug/dL or three are < 15 ug/dL, testing frequency can be decreased to once a 

year. 

If a blood lead test result is 10-14 UG/DL, the child should be screened every 3 to 4 months. Once 2 subsequent 

consecutive measurements are < 10 ug/dL or three are < 15 ,ug/dL, testing frequency can be decreased to once a 

year. 

If any blood lead test result is > OR = 15 ,UG/DL, the child needs individual case management and should be 

retested at least every 3 to 4 months. 

CHILDREN > OR = 36 MONTHS AND < 72 MONTHS OF AGE: 

As for younger children, a questionnaire should be used at each routine office visit of children from 36 to 72 months 

of age. Any child at high risk by questionnaire who has not previously had a blood lead test should be tested. All 

children who have had venous blood lead tests > or = 15 ug/dL or who are at high risk by questionnaire should be 

screened at least once a year until their sixth birthday (age 72 months) or later, if indicated (for example, a retarded 

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child with pica). Children should also be rescreened any time history suggests exposure has increased. Children 

with blood lead levels> or = 15 ug/dL should receive followup as described below. 

FOLLOWUP OF CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 15 UG/DL 

Followup of children with blood lead levels > or = 15 ug/dL is discussed in more detail in later chapters and is 

briefly summarized below. In general, such children should receive blood lead tests at least every 3 to 4 months. 

IF THE BLOOD LEAD LEVEL IS 16-19 UG/DL, the child should be screened every 3-4 months, the family 

should be given education and nutritional counseling as described in Chapter 4, and a detailed environmental 

history should be taken to identify any obvious sources or pathways of lead exposure. When the venous blood lead 

level is in this range in two consecutive tests 3-4 months apart, environmental investigation and abatement should 

be conducted, if resources permit. 

IF THE BLOOD LEAD LEVEL IS > OR = 20 UG/DL, the child should be given a repeat test for confirmation. If 

the venous blood lead level is confirmed to be > or = 20 ug/dL, the child should be referred for medical evaluation 

and followup as described in Chapter 7. Such children should continue to receive blood lead tests every 3-4 months 

or more often if indicated. Children with blood lead levels > or = 45 ug/dL must receive urgent medical and 

environmental followup, preferably at a clinic with a staff experienced in dealing with this disease. Symptomatic 

lead poisoning or a venous blood lead concentration > or = 70 ug/dL is a medical emergency, requiring immediate 

inpatient chelation therapy, as described in Chapter 7. 

CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF SCREENING TEST RESULTS

On the basis of screening test results, children can be classified into categories according to their risk for adverse 

effects of lead. The urgency and type of followup are based on these risk classes. These classes are shown in Table 

6 3. 

MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

Several factors can influence the quality of blood lead measurements. The ubiquity of lead in the environment 

makes contamination of specimens during collection a major source of error. Analytical variation in the laboratory 

can affect results. Accuracy and precision of blood lead measurements, particularly at low concentrations, can be 

assured by the use of appropriate analytical standards, maintenance of equipment, training of personnel, and 

participation in external proficiency testing programs. 

Since blood collected by venipuncture has a low likelihood of contamination compared to blood collected by finger 

stick, venous blood is the preferred specimen for analysis and should be used for lead measurement whenever 

practicable. In addition, venous specimens provide a larger volume for analysis and are less prone to clotting and 

other problems that can be encountered with capillary specimens. At the present time, not all laboratories will 

accept capillary samples for lead analysis. 

Finger stick specimens are acceptable for blood lead screening, provided that special collection procedures are 

followed to minimize the risk of contamination. Personnel must be thoroughly trained in collection procedures. A 

procedure for collecting finger stick specimens is described in Appendix I. 

Elevated blood lead results obtained on capillary specimens are presumptive and must be confirmed using venous 

blood. In general, children who have blood lead levels > or = 15 ug/dL on capillary samples should have these 

levels confirmed on venous samples, according to the timetable in Table 6 4. A child with a blood lead level > or = 

70 ug/dL or with symptoms of lead poisoning should be treated immediately while the results of an immediate 

confirmatory test are awaited. 

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BLOOD LEAD LEVELS -- ADDITIONAL ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Blood lead levels can be determined by several analytic methods. The method used can affect the specimen volume 

required, the choice of anticoagulant (usually heparin or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)), and other 

aspects related to specimen suitability. Specimen collection procedures and equipment must be checked for 

compatibility with laboratory requirements. Special lead-free evacuated tubes are available for blood collection, but 

standard tubes containing EDTA or heparin (lavender or green caps) can be acceptable after screening each lot to 

determine the lead content of the containers, needles, etc. Though reports of unsuitable levels of background lead in 

other collection materials are infrequent, all materials used should be determined to be lead-free before use. 

Laboratories where blood is tested for lead levels should be successful participants in a blood lead proficiency 

testing program, such as the program conducted jointly by CDC, the Health Resources and Services Administration, 

and the University of Wisconsin. In interpreting laboratory results, it should be recognized that a "proficient" 

laboratory need only measure blood lead levels to within several ug/dL of the true value (for example, within 4 or 6 

ug/dL of a target value). The blood lead level reported by a laboratory, therefore, may be several ug/dL higher or 

lower than the actual blood lead level. 

ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN (EP)

EP is not a sensitive test to identify children with blood lead levels below about 25 u/dL, and therefore it is no 

longer the screening test of choice. In some programs, however, it will continue to be used until the transition to 

blood lead measurements is complete. 

Only fresh blood is suitable for analysis by hematofluorometer. Complete oxygenation of sample hemoglobin is 

necessary to prevent low results in some instruments. The hemoglobin concentration in the sample can also affect 

hematofluorometer EP readings. Results obtained by extraction methods are not affected by these factors and can be 

used to confirm hematofluorometer EP results. 

In the past, an absorptivity of 241 L cm-1 mmol-1 has been used to determine EP levels. Recently, however, the 

correct absorptivity has been determined to be 297 L cm-1 mmol-l. Use of the correct absorptivity will result in EP 

values about 19% lower than those standardized using 241 L cm-1 mmol-1. Standardization of EP levels that are 

based on the correct absorptivity is expected to be widely adopted in 1992. Use of the correct standardization 

requires a change in calibration and is not simply a reduction of the screening cutoff value. Standardization criteria 

should also be considered when reviewing data in the literature. 

An EP result of > or = 35 ug/dL standardized using 241 L cm-1 mmol-1 or > or = 28 ug/dL standardized using 297 

L cm-1 mmol-1 is considered elevated. ALL ELEVATED EP RESULTS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WITH A 

VENOUS BLOOD LEAD TEST TO DETERMINE IF LEAD POISONING IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 

ELEVATION. Elevated concentrations of EP also result from several health conditions other than lead intoxication, 

particularly iron deficiency. The iron status of children with elevated EP levels should always be determined, 

especially since iron deficiency and lead poisoning often coexist. In such cases, the EP may be disproportionately 

elevated in comparison to the blood lead level. 

Some hematofluorometers report EP levels as umol ZnPP/mol heme. For instruments that give results in these units, 

EP values > or = 70 umol/mol should be considered elevated and should be promptly investigated. 

CHAPTER 7. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF 

CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL

Children with blood lead levels between 10 Ug/dL and 19 ug/dL and their siblings need followup and repeat 

screening as described in previous chapters. They do not, however, need medical evaluation as described in this 

chapter. 

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The cornerstones of clinical management are careful clinical and laboratory surveillance of the child, medical 

treatment when indicated, and eradication of controllable sources of environmental lead. THE MOST 

IMPORTANT FACTOR IN CASE MANAGEMENT IS TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE THE CHILD'S 

EXPOSURE TO LEAD. 

All children with confirmed venous blood lead levels > or = 20 ug/dL require medical evaluation. The urgency of 

further medical evaluation depends on the blood lead level and whether symptoms are present. 

The decision to institute medical management should virtually always be made on the basis of a venous blood lead 

measurement. No other screening test can be considered diagnostic. If the first evaluation was made on capillary 

blood, a confirmatory venous blood lead level must be done. Even if the first diagnostic measurement was on 

venous blood, it is preferable to retest before starting chelation therapy. For children with blood lead levels > or = 

70 ug/dL or clinical symptoms of lead poisoning, chelation should not be postponed while awaiting results of the 

repeat test. 

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING

SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING IN A CHILD WITH AN ELEVATED BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 

CONSTITUTE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, AND THE CHILD SHOULD BE HOSPITALIZED. Symptoms, 

which can mimic several other pediatric disorders, must be looked for so they are not missed. 

Acute lead encephalopathy is characterized by some or all of these symptoms: coma, seizures, bizarre behavior, 

ataxia, apathy, incoordination, vomiting, alteration in the state of consciousness, and subtle loss of recently acquired 

skills. Any one or a mixture of these symptoms, associated with an elevated blood lead level, is an acute medical 

emergency. Lead encephalopathy is almost always associated with a blood lead level exceeding 100 ug/dL, 

although, occasionally, it has been reported at blood lead levels as low as 70 ,ug/dL. Even when identified and 

promptly treated, severe and permanent brain damage may result in 70%-80% of children with lead encephalopathy. 

Children with symptomatic lead poisoning with or without encephalopathy represent an acute medical emergency. 

THE POSSIBILITY OF LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL 

DIAGNOSIS OF CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH COMA AND CONVULSIONS OF UNKNOWN 

ETIOLOGY. 

Except for coma and seizures, symptomatic lead poisoning without encephalopathy is characterized by symptoms 

similar to those of lead encephalopathy. Symptomatic lead poisoning without encephalopathy is characterized by 

one or a combination of these symptoms: decrease in play activity, lethargy, anorexia, sporadic vomiting, 

intermittent abdominal pain, and constipation. These symptoms are usually associated with a blood lead levels of at 

least 70 ug/dL, although occasionally cases have been associated with levels as low as 50 ug/dL. If the blood lead 

level is below 50 ,ug/dL, other causes of the symptoms should be sought. SINCE ACUTE LEAD 

ENCEPHALOPATHY MAY DEVELOP IN ANY SYMPTOMATIC CHILD, TREATMENT AND SUPPORTIVE 

MEASURES MUST BE STARTED IMMEDIATELY ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS. 

EVALUATION OF THE CHILD WITH A BLOOD LEAD LEVEL > OR = 20 UG/DL

A child with a blood lead level > or = 20 ug/dL should have a pediatric evaluation, whether or not symptoms are 

present. 

SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO: 

1. A detailed history, including the presence or absence of clinical symptoms, child's mouthing activities, the 

existence of pica, nutritional status (especially iron and calcium intake), dietary habits, family history of lead 

poisoning, potential sources of lead exposure (including exposure due to home renovation), and previous 

blood lead measurements.

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2. Detailed environmental and occupational histories of adults in the household or other places the child spends 

a lot of time. 

3. The physical examination, with particular attention to the neurologic examination and psychosocial and 

language development. A neurobehavioral assessment may be useful in children receiving chelation therapy 

both at the time of diagnosis and as the child approaches school age. Findings of language delay or other 

problems can prompt referral to appropriate programs.

4. Evaluation of iron status using measurement of iron and total iron binding capacity or of ferritin.

TESTS

1. TESTS FOR IRON DEFICIENCY. BECAUSE IRON DEFICIENCY CAN ENHANCE LEAD 

ABSORPTION AND TOXICITY AND OFTEN COEXISTS WITH IT, ALL CHILDREN WITH BLOOD 

LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL SHOULD BE TESTED FOR IRON DEFICIENCY. Measurements of 

hemoglobin, hematocrit, and reticulocyte are not adequately sensitive, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) is 

not specific enough to diagnose iron deficiency (although EP can be used to screen for iron deficiency). 

2. SERUM IRON AND IRON BINDING CAPACITY (TRANSFERRIN SATURATION) AND FERRITIN are 

the most sensitive indicators of iron status. An abnormally low ratio of serum iron to iron binding capacity 

(transferrin saturation) of 0.2 is consistent with iron deficiency. The serum ferritin level, however, is the most 

definitive and accurate indication of overall iron status, although it is an acute phase reactant and may be 

falsely elevated in sick children; a value > or = 12 ,ug/dL indicates iron deficiency. Although all iron 

deficient children should receive treatment for this condition, the treatment should not be started until after 

chelation is completed in children receiving dimercaprol (BAL). 

3. EP LEVEL. An elevated EP level indicates impairment of the heme biosynthetic pathway. EP levels are 

sensitive screening tests for iron deficiency, and iron status should be assessed in any child with an elevated 

EP level (that is, > or = 35 ug/dL when standardized using 241 L cm-1 mmol-1,> or = 28 ug/dL when 

standardized using 297 L cm-1 mmol-1, or > or = 70 ,umol/mol when measured in umol/mol units). 

Because EP levels take about 2 weeks to increase, EP levels may provide an indication of the duration of lead 

exposure. Similarly, monitoring the EP level after medical and environmental interventions for poisoned 

children may be useful. If exposure to lead has ceased, EP values elevated because of lead poisoning decline 

slowly over several weeks or months. A progressive decline in EP concentrations indicates that combined 

medical and environmental case management is proceeding efficaciously. 

4. EDETATE DISODIUM CALCIUM (CANA2EDTA) PROVOCATIVE CHELATION TEST. The 

mobilization test is used to determine whether a child with an initial confirmatory blood lead level of 25 to 44 

ug/dL will respond to chelation therapy with a brisk lead diuresis. Because of the cost and staff time needed 

for quantitative urine collection, this test is used only in selected medical centers where large numbers of 

lead- poisoned children are treated. Children whose blood lead levels are > or = 45 ug/dL should not receive a 

provocative chelation test; they should be referred for appropriate chelation therapy immediately. 

The outcome of the provocative chelation test is determined not by a decrease in the blood lead level but by 

the amount of lead excreted per dose of CaNa2EDTA given. This ratio correlates well with blood lead levels. 

In one study, almost all children with blood lead levels 45 ug/dL had positive provocative tests, 76% of the 

children with blood lead levels 35 to 44 ug/dL had positive test results, and 35% of the children with blood 

lead levels 25 to 34 ug/dL had positive test results. This test should not be done until the child is iron replete, 

since iron status may affect the outcome of the test. Details on how to conduct and interpret a provocative 

chelation test are in Chapter 7. 

5. RADIOLOGIC EXAMINATION OF THE ABDOMEN. Radiologic examination of the abdomen (flat plate) 

may show radiopaque foreign material if the material has been ingested during the preceding 24 to 36 hours. 

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Neither negative nor positive x-ray results are diagnostic or definitive. A flat plate of the abdomen may, 

however, provide information about the source of lead if paint chips or other lead objects are found. 

6. RADIOLOGIC EXAMINATION OF THE LONG BONES. X-rays of the long bones are unreliable for 

diagnosing acute lead poisoning, and they should not be obtained on a routine basis. They may provide some 

indication of whether lead poisoning has occurred in the past or has been ongoing for a length of time, and 

this may occasionally be important. Lines of increased density in the metaphyseal plate of the distal femur, 

proximal tibia, and fibula may be caused by lead which has disrupted the metabolism of bone matrix. 

Although these lines are sometimes called lead lines, they are areas of increased mineralization or 

calcification and not x-ray shadows of deposited lead. 

The following tests are NOT indicated for the diagnosis or clinical management of lead poisoning: 

1. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF RED CELLS FOR BASOPHILIC STIPPLING. Since basophilic 

stippling is not always found in severe lead poisoning and is insensitive to lesser degrees of lead poisoning, it 

is not useful in diagnosis. 

2. Tests of hair and fingernails for lead levels. The levels of lead in hair or fingernails do not correlate well with 

blood lead levels, except in extreme cases of symptomatic lead poisoning; therefore, these tests are not useful 

in diagnosis. Children should never receive chelating agents on the basis of analyses of lead levels in hair or 

fingernails. 

PHARMACOLOGY OF CHELATING AGENTS

Several drugs are used in the treatment of lead poisoning. These drugs, capable of binding or chelating lead, deplete 

the soft and hard (skeletal) tissues of lead and thus reduce its acute toxicity. All drugs have potential side effects and 

must be used with caution. The basic pharmacologic characteristics of the various drugs are described below. 

Table 7 1

BAL

MECHANISM OF ACTION. Two molecules of dimercaprol (BAL) combine with one atom of heavy metal to form 

a stable complex. BAL enhances fecal and urinary excretion of lead and diffuses well into erythrocytes. Because it 

is predominantly excreted in bile, BAL can be administered in the presence of renal impairment. 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. BAL is available only in peanut oil for intramuscular 

administration. It is usually given every 4 hours, although it may be given every 8 hours; dosages are discussed 

below. 

PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. For patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6-PD), 

some clinicians recommend that BAL should be used only in life-threatening situations because it may induce 

hemolysis. Medicinal iron should never be administered during BAL therapy, because the combination of iron and 

BAL has been implicated in serious reactions. If iron deficiency coexists, it should not be treated until after BAL 

therapy has been completed. In cases of extreme anemia, blood transfusions are preferable. 

Between 30% and 50% of patients who receive BAL will experience side effects. Mild febrile reactions and 

transient elevations of hepatic transaminases may be observed. Other minor adverse effects include, in order of 

frequency, nausea and occasional vomiting, headache, mild conjunctivitis, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and salivation. 

Most side effects are transient and rapidly subside as the drug is metabolized and excreted. Intravenous hydration 

coupled with restricting oral intake can circumvent, in large part, gastrointestinal distress. BAL SHOULD NOT BE 

USED FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS OR PEANUT PRODUCTS. 

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CaNA2EDTA

ONLY CaNa2EDTA CAN BE USED FOR TREATING CHILDREN WITH LEAD POISONING. Na2EDTA 

(DISODIUM EDETATE) SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR TREATING CHILDREN WITH LEAD 

POISONING BECAUSE IT WILL INDUCE TETANY AND POSSIBLY FATAL HYPOCALCEMIA. 

MECHANISM OF ACTION. CaNa2EDTA increases urinary lead excretion twentyfold to fiftyfold. CaNa2EDTA 

removes lead from the extracellular compartment only, because it does not enter cells. 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. The preferred route for administration of CaNa2EDTA is 

intravenous. CaNa2EDTA must be diluted to a concentration < 0.5% in dextrose and water or in 0.9% saline 

solution. It can be given as a continuous infusion or it can be given in two divided doses a day through a heparin 

lock over 30 to 60 minutes. CaNa2EDTA causes extreme pain when administered intramuscularly; therefore, when 

given by this route, it should be mixed with procaine so that the final concentration of procaine is 0.5%. 

CaNa2EDTA should never be given orally because it enhances absorption of lead from the gastrointestinal tract. 

Dosages vary by situation and are detailed in Chapter 7. Individual courses should be limited to 5 days and repeated 

courses should be given at a minimum of 2- to 5-day intervals. Particularly when CaNa2EDTA is given on an 

outpatient basis, some clinicians use sequential 3-day courses of treatment. 

PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. During chelation therapy with CaNa2EDTA, urine output, urine sediment, 

blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and hepatocellular enzyme levels must be carefully monitored. The 

appearance of protein and formed elements in urinary sediment, and rising BUN and serum creatinine values reflect 

impending renal failure the serious toxicity associated with inappropriately excessive or prolonged administration of 

CaNa2EDTA. Liver transanimases may increase by the fifth day of therapy, but return to pretreatment levels within 

a week after treatment has ended. 

When CaNa2EDTA is used alone without concomitant BAL therapy, it may aggravate symptoms in patients with 

very high blood lead levels. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with BAL when the blood lead level is > or 

= 70 ug/dL or overt clinical symptoms of lead poisoning are present. In such cases, the first dose of BAL should 

always precede the first dose of CaNa2EDTA by at least 4 hours. 

The kidney is the principal site of potential toxicity. Renal toxicity is dose related, reversible, and rarely (if ever) 

occurs at doses < 1500 mg/square m when the patient is adequately hydrated. CaNa2EDTA must never be given in 

the absence of an adequate urine flow. 

D-PENICILLAMINE

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved D-penicillamine for the treatment of Wilson's disease, 

cystinuria, and severe, active rheumatoid arthritis. Although not approved for this use, it is used in some centers for 

treating lead poisoning. Until the recent approval of succimer, it was the only commercially available oral chelating 

agent. It can be given over a long period (weeks to months). D-penicillamine has been used mainly for children with 

blood lead levels < 45 ug/dL. 

MECHANISM OF ACTION. D-penicillamine enhances urinary excretion of lead, although not as effectively as 

CaNa2EDTA. Its specific mechanism and site of action are not well understood. 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. D-penicillamine is administered orally. It is available in 

capsules or tablets (125 mg and 250 mg). These capsules can be opened and suspended in liquid, if necessary. The 

usual dose is 25 to 35 mg/kg/day in divided doses. Side effects can be minimized, to an extent, by starting with a 

small dose and increasing it gradually, monitoring all the time for side effects. For example, 25% of the desired 

final dose could be given in week 1, 50% in week 2, and the full dose by week 3. 

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PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. Toxic side effects (albeit minor in most cases) occur in as many as 33% of 

patients given the drug. The main side effects of D-penicillamine are reactions resembling those of penicillin 

sensitivity, including rashes, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hematuria, proteinuria and hepatocellular enzyme 

elevations, and eosinophilia. Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are infrequent. Of most concern, however, are isolated 

reports of nephrotoxicity, possibly from hypersensitivity reactions. For these reasons, patients should be carefully 

and frequently monitored for clinically obvious side effects, and frequent blood counts, urinalyses, and renal 

function tests should be performed. In particular, blood counts and urinalyses should be done on day 1, day 14, day 

28, and monthly thereafter. If the absolute neutrophil count falls to < 1500/uL, the count should be rechecked 

immediately, and treatment should be stopped if it falls to < 1200/uL. D-penicillamine should not be given on an 

outpatient basis if exposure to lead is continuing or the physician has doubts about compliance with the therapeutic 

regimen. D-PENICILLAMINE SHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED TO PATIENTS WITH KNOWN 

PENICILLIN ALLERGY. 

SUCCIMER

The FDA approved succimer in January, 1991 for treating children with blood lead levels > 45 ug/dL. Succimer 

appears to be an effective oral chelating agent. Its selectivity for lead is high, whereas its ability to chelate essential 

trace metals is low. Although its use to date has been limited, succimer appears to have promising potential, and a 

broader range of clinical research studies in children are being undertaken. 

Succimer is chemically similar to BAL but is more water soluble, has a high therapeutic index, and is absorbed 

from the gastrointestinal tract. It is effective when given orally and produces a lead diuresis comparable to that 

produced by CaNa2EDTA. This diuresis lowers blood lead levels and reverses the biochemical toxicity of lead, as 

indicated by normalization of circulating aminolevulinic acid dehydrase levels. Succimer is not indicated for 

prophylaxis of lead poisoning in a lead-containing environment. AS WITH ALL CHELATING AGENTS, 

SUCCIMER SHOULD ONLY BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN WHO RESIDE IN ENVIRONMENTS FREE OF 

LEAD DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT. 

MECHANISM OF ACTION. Succimer appears to be more specific for lead than the most commonly used 

chelating agent, CaNa2EDTA; the urinary loss of essential trace elements (for example, zinc) appears to be 

considerably less with succimer than with CaNa2EDTA. The site of lead chelation by succimer is not known. 

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND DOSAGE. Succimer is administered orally. It is available in 100 mg 

capsules. The recommended initial dose is 350 mg/square m (10 mg/kg) every 8 hours for 5 days, followed by 350 

mg/square (10 mg/kg) every 12 hours for 14 days. A course of treatment, therefore, lasts 19 days. If more courses 

are needed, a minimum of 2 weeks between courses is preferred, unless blood lead levels indicate the need for 

immediate retreatment. These doses may be modified as more experience is gained in using succimer. 

Patients who have received therapeutic courses of CaNa2EDTA with or without BAL may use succimer for 

subsequent treatment after an interval of 4 weeks. Data on the concomitant use of succimer and CaNa2EDTA with 

or without BAL are not available, and such use is not recommended. 

If young children cannot swallow capsules, succimer can be administered by separating the capsule and sprinkling 

the medicated beads on a small amount of soft food or by putting them on a spoon and following with a fruit drink. 

Data are not available on how stable succimer is when it is suspended in soft foods for prolonged periods of time; 

succimer should be mixed with soft foods immediately before being given to the child. 

PRECAUTIONS AND TOXICITY. To date, toxicity due to succimer (transient elevations in hepatic enzyme 

activities) appears to be minimal. The most common adverse effects reported in clinical trials in children and adults 

were primarily gastrointestinal and included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite loss. Rashes, some 

necessitating discontinuation of therapy, have been reported for about 4% of patients. THOUGH SUCCIMER 

HOLDS CONSIDERABLE PROMISE FOR THE OUTPATIENT MANAGEMENT OF LEAD POISONING, 

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH SUCCIMER IS LIMITED. Consequently, the full spectrum and incidence of 

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adverse reactions, including the possibility of hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reactions, have not been determined. 

Other precautions that need to be taken with succimer are discussed in the full statement. 

TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS > OR = 20 UG/DL.

The single most important factor in managing of childhood lead poisoning is the reducing the child's exposure to 

lead; some children, however, will benefit from chelation therapy. Sample regimens for treating children with lead 

poisoning are described in Chapter 7. 

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING (WITH OR WITHOUT ENCEPHALOPATHY)

Children with symptomatic lead poisoning (with or without encephalopathy) must be treated only at a pediatric 

center that has an intensive care unit. They should be managed by a multi disciplinary team that includes, as needed, 

critical care, toxicology, neurology, and neurosurgery. The child's neurological status and fluid balance must be 

carefully monitored. 

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ASYMPTOMATIC LEAD POISONING

Blood lead level > or = 45 ug/dL. Children with blood lead levels > or = 45 ug/dL (with or without symptoms) 

should undergo chelation therapy. A blood lead level > or = 70 ug/dL is a medical emergency. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 25 TO 44 UG/DL. For this blood lead range, the effectiveness of chelation therapy in 

decreasing the adverse effects of lead on children's intelligence has not been shown. Treatment regimens vary from 

clinic to clinic. Some practitioners treat children with lead levels in this range pharmacologically, some use 

D-penicillamine. The minimum medical management for children with these blood lead levels is to decrease 

exposure to all sources of lead, to correct any iron deficiency and maintain an adequate calcium intake, and to test 

frequently to ensure that the child's blood lead levels are decreasing. Many experienced practitioners decide whether 

to use chelation therapy on the basis of the results of carefully performed CaNa2EDTA mobilization tests. 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL 20 TO 24 UG/DL. ONLY VERY MINIMAL DATA EXISTS ABOUT CHELATING 

CHILDREN WITH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS BELOW 25 UG/DL, AND SUCH CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE 

CHELATED EXCEPT IN THE CONTEXT OF APPROVED CLINICAL TRIALS. A child with a confirmed blood 

lead level of 20 to 24 ug/dL will require individual case management by a pediatric health-care provider. The child 

should have an evaluation with special attention to nutritional and iron status. The parents should be taught about 1) 

the causes and effects of lead poisoning, 2) the need for more routine blood lead testing, 3) possible sources of lead 

intake and how to reduce them, 4) the importance of adequate nutrition and of foods high in iron and calcium, and 

5) resources for further information. (This is described in more detail in Chapter 4.) Sequential measurements of 

blood lead levels along with review of the child's clinical status should be done at least every 3 months. Iron 

deficiency should be treated promptly. Children with blood lead levels in this range should be referred for 

environmental investigation and management. Identifying and eradicating all sources of excessive lead exposure is 

the most important intervention for decreasing blood lead levels (Chapter 8). 

POST-CHELATION FOLLOWUP

At the end of each treatment cycle, the blood lead concentration usually declines to < 25 ug/dL. Within a few days, 

however, reequilibration among body lead compartments takes place and may result in a rebound; thus, THE 

BLOOD LEAD LEVEL MUST BE RECHECKED 7 TO 21 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT TO DETERMINE 

WHETHER RETREATMENT IS NECESSARY. 

Children who undergo chelation treatment require long-term followup preferably from pediatric health-care 

providers, nutritionists, environmental specialists, and community out-reach workers. Community outreach workers 

provide a critical bridge between hospital-based or clinic-based (outpatient) medical care, health advocacy 

education, and environmental remediation outside the hospital. Children should NEVER be discharged from the 

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hospital UNTIL THEY CAN GO TO A LEAD-FREE ENVIRONMENT. Lead-free safe housing (with friends, 

relatives, or in designated transitional housing), in which a treated child can live during the entire abatement process 

through the post-abatement clean-up, must be arranged. With appropriately carried-out public health measures, 

complete and safe abatement should be achieved during the treatment period. 

Once a child is discharged to a safe environment, frequent followup is mandatory. In general, depending on the 

initial blood lead value, most children who require chelation therapy must be followed closely for at least one year 

or more. All children undergoing chelation treatment should be seen every other week for 6-8 weeks, then once a 

month for 4-6 months. A child treated with BAL and CaNa2EDTA should be followed more closely: weekly for 4 

to 6 weeks, then monthly for 12 months. 

CHAPTER 8. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE 

INDIVIDUAL CHILD

Eradicating childhood lead poisoning requires a long-term active program of primary lead-poisoning prevention, 

including abatement of lead-based paint hazards in homes, day-care centers, and other places where young children 

play and live. For the child who is lead poisoned, however, efficient and effective interventions are needed as 

quickly as possible. Abatement means making the source of lead inaccessible to the child. 

Each situation in which a child gets poisoned is unique and must be evaluated by a person or team of persons skilled 

and knowledgeable about lead poisoning, hazard identification, and interventions to reduce lead exposure, including 

abatement of lead-based paint in housing. Childhood lead poisoning prevention programs need to work closely with 

other relevant agencies (for example, housing and environmental agencies) to ensure that the quickest and most 

effective approach is taken to remediating the environments of poisoned children. 

Environmental case management includes a number of actions prescribed for a child with lead poisoning. Ideally, 

environmental case management should be conducted by a team of professionals in public health, environmental 

activities, medical management, and social management. A team approach to intervention will help ensure that 

followup is timely and effective. The management team may need to solve many related problems, such as whether 

to investigate supplemental addresses, where to find temporary alternative housing, and how to use community 

resources to assist the family in dealing with the lead-poisoned child. 

CHAPTER 9. MANAGEMENT OF LEAD HAZARDS IN THE COMMUNITY

In theory, primary prevention has always been the goal of childhood lead poisoning prevention programs. In 

practice, however, most programs focus exclusively on secondary prevention, dealing with children who have 

already been poisoned. As programs shift the emphasis to primary prevention, their efforts must be designed to 

systematically identify and remediate environmental sources of lead, including, most importantly, dwellings 

containing old lead paint. 

The shift from case management to community-level intervention will require a fundamental shift in perspective. 

The focus must shift from the individual child to the population of children at risk and the environment in which 

they live. The purpose of community-level intervention is to identify and respond to sources, not cases, of lead 

poisoning. The responsibility for addressing lead poisoning will have to be expanded beyond health agencies to 

include a variety of housing, environmental and social service agencies at the local, county state and national level. 

POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS DOCUMENT:

To request a copy of this document or for questions concerning this document, please contact the person or office 

listed below. If requesting a document, please specify the complete name of the document as well as the address to 

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which you would like it mailed. Note that if a name is listed with the address below, you may wish to contact this 

person via CDC WONDER/PC e-mail. NATIONAL CTR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

CDC (NCEH) Publications

4770 Buford Hwy. NE MS:(F-29)

Chamblee, GA 30341 

Table 1 1

Table 1-1. Interpretation of blood lead test results and follow-up activities: class of 

 child based on blood lead concentration 

================================================================================================= 

 Blood lead 

 Class concentration (ug/dL) Comment 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 I <= 9 A child in Class I is not considered to be lead-poisoned. 

 IIA 10-14 Many children (or a large proportion of children) with blood 

 lead levels in this range should trigger communitywide child- 

 hood lead poisoning prevention activities (Chapter 9). Chil- 

 dren in this range may need to be rescreened more 

 frequently. 

 IIB 15-19 A child in Class IIB should receive nutritional and educa- 

 tional interventions and more frequent screening. If the 

 blood lead level persists in this range, environmental investi- 

 gation and intervention should be done (Chapter 8). 

 III 20-44 A child in Class III should receive environmental evaluation 

 and remediation (Chapter 8) and a medical evaluation 

 (Chapter 7). Such a child may need pharmacologic treatment 

 of lead poisoning (Chapter 7). 

 IV 45-69 A child in Class IV will need both medical and environmen- 

 tal interventions, including chelation therapy (Chapters 7 

 and 8). 

 V >= 70 A child with Class V lead poisoning is a medical emergency. 

 Medical and environmental management must begin imme- 

 diately (Chapters 7 and 8). 

================================================================================================= 

Table 3 1

Table 3-1. Industries identified by surveillance for elevated blood lead levels, 

 California and New York, 1991 

========================================================================================= 

 Standard Industrial 

 Industry Description Classification Number 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Secondary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals 3341 

 Storage batteries (lead batteries) 3691 

 Valve and pipe fittings (except plumber's brass goods) 3494 

 Plumbing fixture fittings and trim (brass goods) 3432 

 Brass/copper foundry 3362 

 Glass products, made of purchased glass 3231 

 Motor vehicle parts and accessories 3714 

 Firing range workers 7997,9221 

 Pottery, nec 3269 

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 Chemical and chemical preparations 2899 

 Bridge, tunnel, and elevated highway construction 1622 

 Automotive repair shops 7539 

 Industrial machinery and equipment 5084 

 Inorganic pigments 2816 

 Primary batteries, dry and wet 3692 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Sources: Baser and Marion, 1990; Maizlish et al., 1990. 

========================================================================================= 

Table 6 1

Table 6-1. Priority groups for screening 

================================================================================================== 

 - Children, ages 6 to 72 months, who live in or are frequent visitors to deteriorated housing 

 built before 1960. 

 - Children, ages 6 to 72 months, who live in housing built before 1960 with recent, ongoing, or 

 planned renovation or remodeling. 

 - Children, ages 6 to 72 months, who are siblings, house mates, or playmates of children with 

 known lead poisoning. 

 - Children, ages 6 to 72 months, whose parents or other household members participate in a 

 lead-related occupation or hobby. 

 - Children, ages 6 to 72 months, who live near active lead smelters, battery recycling plants, 

 or other industries likely to result in atmospheric lead release. 

================================================================================================== 

Table 6 2

Table 6-2. Assessing the risk of high-dose exposure to lead -- sample questionnaire 

=================================================================================================== 

Does your child - 

1. Live in or regularly visit a house with peeling or chipping paint built before 1960? This 

 could include a day care center, preschool, the home of a babysitter or a relative, etc. 

2. Live in or regularly visit a house built before 1960 with recent, ongoing, or planned 

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 renovation or remodeling? 

3. Have a brother or sister, housemaid, or playmate being followed or treated for lead 

 poisoning (that is, blood lead greater than or equal to 15 ug/dL)? 

4. Live with an adult whose job or hobby involves exposure to lead (see Chapter 3)? 

5. Live near an active lead smelter, battery recycling plant, or other industry likely to release 

 lead? 

=================================================================================================== 

Table 6 3

Table 6-3. Class of child and recommended action according to blood lead measurement 

=============================================================================================== 

 Blood Lead Action 

 Class Concentration (ug/dL) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 I <=9 Low risk for high-dose exposure: rescreen as described in 

 text. 

 High risk for high-dose exposure: rescreen as described in 

 text. 

 IIA 10-14 Rescreen as described in text. 

 If many children in the community have blood lead levels 

 >=10, community interventions (primary prevention activi- 

 ties) should be considered by appropriate agencies (see 

 Chapter 9). 

 IIB 15-19 Rescreen as described in text. 

 Take a history to assess possible high-dose sources of lead. 

 Educate parents about diet, cleaning, etc. Test for iron defi- 

 ciency. Consider environmental investigation and lead haz- 

 ard abatement if levels persist. 

 III 20-44 * Conduct a complete medical evaluation. Identify and elimi- 

 nate environmental lead sources. 

 IV 45-69 * Begin medical treatment and environmental assessment and 

 remediation within 48 hours. 

 V >=70 * Begin medical treatment and environmental assessment and 

 remediation IMMEDIATELY. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

*Based on confirmatory blood lead level. 

=============================================================================================== 

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Table 6 4

Table 6-4. Suggested timetable for confirming capillary blood lead results with a 

 venous blood lead measurement 

=================================================================================== 

 Time Within Which 

 Blood Lead Level 

 Blood Lead Level (ug/dL) Should Be Obtained 

-------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 < 10 Not applicable 

 10-14 Not applicable 

 15-19 Within 1 month 

 20-44 Within 1 week 

 45-69 Within 48 hours 

 >= 70 Immediately 

=================================================================================== 

Table 7 1

Chelating Agents Used In Treating Children With Lead Poisoning 

========================================================================================== 

Product Name Generic Name Chemical Name Abbreviation 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Calcium Disodium Edetate disodium Calcium disodium CaNa2 EDTA 

Versenate calcium ethylenediamine tetraacetate 

BAL in Oil Dimercaprol 2,3-dimercapto-l-propanol BAL 

Cuprimine D-penicillamine 3-mercapto-D-valine D-penicillamine 

Chemet Succimer Meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid DMSA 

========================================================================================== 

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Figure 2 1

Lowest

Figure 2 2

Blood

Figure 2 3

Blood

Figure 2 4

Cummulative

Figure 2 5

Change

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Figure 6 1

Relationship

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