Blood Lead Health Article

BLOOD LEAD

Blood lead is a biomarker used for monitoring occupational and environmental lead exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established the following blood lead screening guidelines and actions for workplace exposure: over 60 micrograms per deciliter (>60 mcg/dL): removal from workplace; >50 mcg/dL in three consecutive months: removal of individual from workplace; >40 mcg/dL: medical evaluation only: a goal of the ABLES program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a guideline of <25 mcg/dL. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established the following blood lead screening guidelines and actions for childhood environmental lead exposure: <9 mcg/dL: acceptable background lead exposure; 10 to 19 mcg/dL: more frequent rescreening and nutritional/educational interventions; 20 to 44 mcg/dL: consider pharmacologic therapy; 45 to 69 mcg/dL: pharmacologic therapy; >70 mcg/dL: medical emergency.

ALAN D. WOOLF

LAWRENCE S. QUANG

(SEE ALSO: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Environmental Determinants of Health; Lead; Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Screening)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Shannon, M. W. (1998). "Lead." In Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 3rd edition, eds. L. M. Haddad, M. W. Shannon, and J. F. Winchester. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Co.