High-intensity targeted screening for elevated blood lead levels among children in 2 inner-city Chicago communities.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (> or = 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood), risk factors, and previous blood lead testing among children in 2 high-risk Chicago, Ill, communities.


METHODS
Through high-intensity targeted screening, blood lead levels were tested and risks were assessed among a representative sample of children aged 1 to 5 years who were at risk for lead exposure.


RESULTS
Of the 539 children who were tested, 27% had elevated blood lead levels, and 61% had never been tested previously. Elevated blood lead levels were associated with chipped exterior house paint.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the children who lived in these communities--where the prevalence for elevated blood lead levels among children was 12 times higher than the national prevalence--were not tested for lead poisoning. Our findings highlight the need for targeted community outreach that includes testing blood lead levels in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations.
Dignam
Timothy A
TA
Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/NIH, 4770 Buford Highway, Mail Stop F-40, Chamblee, GA 30341, USA. tdignam@cdc.gov
Evens
Anne
A
Eduardo
Eduard
E
Ramirez
Shokufeh M
SM
Caldwell
Kathleen L
KL
Kilpatrick
Nikki
N
Noonan
Gary P
GP
Flanders
W Dana
WD
Meyer
Pamela A
PA
McGeehin
Michael A
MA
D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population
D007854:Lead