Lead toxicity

Blood lead levels

The severity of lead toxicity is defined based on the blood lead levels. A blood lead reference value of ≥3.5 micrograms/dL is used to identify children with the highest blood lead levels (within the top 2.5 % of US children ages 1-5 years from 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] cycles).[47]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Blood lead levels in children. Childhood lead poisoning prevention program. February 2022 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/data/blood-lead-reference-value.htm A case definition for an elevated blood lead level in an adult (person ≥16 years of age) is ≥5 micrograms/dL.[2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Understanding blood lead levels. Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) workplace safety & health topics. Apr 2023 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/referencebloodlevelsforadults.html [3]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead, elevated blood levels 2016 case definition. April 2021 [internet publication]. https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/lead-elevated-blood-levels-2016 In an adult, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers a blood lead level of ≥25 micrograms/dL to be serious, requiring inspection.[2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Understanding blood lead levels. Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) workplace safety & health topics. Apr 2023 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/referencebloodlevelsforadults.html Toxicity occurs at lower levels; prevention is key to preventing toxicity in the absence of effective management options at low levels.