Geographic analysis of blood lead levels in New York State children born 1994-1997.
We examined the geographic distribution of the blood lead levels (BLLs) of 677,112 children born between 1994 and 1997 in New York State and screened before 2 years of age. Five percent of the children screened had BLLs higher than the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention action level of 10 microg/dL. Rates were higher in upstate cities than in the New York City area. We modeled the relationship between BLLs and housing and socioeconomic characteristics at the ZIP code level. Older housing stock, a lower proportion of high school graduates, and a higher percentage of births to African-American mothers were the community characteristics most associated with elevated BLLs. Although the prevalence of children with elevated BLLs declined 44% between those born in 1994 and those born in 1997, the rate of improvement may be slowing down. Lead remains an environmental health problem in inner-city neighborhoods, particularly in upstate New York. We identified areas having a high prevalence of children with elevated BLLs. These communities can be targeted for educational and remediation programs. The model locates areas with a higher or lower prevalence of elevated BLLs than expected. These communities can be studied further at the individual level to better characterize the factors that contribute to these differences.
Haley
Valerie B
VB
Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Troy, New York 12180-2216, USA. vbh03@health.state.ny.us
Talbot
Thomas O
TO
D001741:Black or African American; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class
D007854:Lead