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6/23/22, 10:26 AM CDC updates blood lead reference value | Lead | CDC <br />https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/news/cdc-updates-blood-lead-reference-value.html#:~:text=CDC updates blood lead reference value to 3.5 µg%2FdL&text=CDC uses a blood lead,higher than most children's levels.4/6 <br />Despite the overall decline of blood lead levels over time, lead exposure remains a signicant public health concern <br />for some young children because of persistent lead hazards in the environment and hand to mouth activity that is <br />common among this age group.  Sources of lead include lead-based paint, lead service lines, lead in household <br />plumbing material, and soil contaminated by past sources, such as automobile gasoline and hazardous waste sites. <br />Young children can also be exposed to lead in contaminated food, folk remedies, cultural products, and consumer <br />products. Young children can also be exposed to lead secondhand if a parent or other adult they spend time with <br />works or engages in recreational activities that involve lead or lead-based products. <br />How might health departments use this new level?Health departments may use the blood lead reference value (BLRV) in recommendations that involve follow-up <br />evaluation of young children under 6 years, after blood lead level testing. They can use the reference value to identify <br />high-risk populations and geographic areas most in need of lead exposure prevention. Health departments can <br />guide targeted interventions to reduce lead exposure in children by identifying hotspots for potential lead exposure <br />and prioritizing where to focus blood lead screening, outreach, and community interventions. <br />CDC’s BLRV is a screening tool to identify children who have higher levels of lead in their blood compared with most <br />children. The reference value is not health-based and is not a regulatory standard. States independently determine <br />action thresholds based on state laws, regulations, and resource availability. CDC encourages healthcare providers <br />and public health professionals to follow the  recommended follow-up actions based on conrmed blood lead <br />levels.  <br />What might this new level aect laboratory reporting?The Division of Laboratory Sciences in CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health compiled and reviewed <br />laboratory prociency data [PDF – 828 KB] through the Lead and Multi-element Prociency Program. It concluded <br />that current available laboratory tests for measuring blood lead can reliably measure blood lead levels of 3.5 μg/dL <br />and greater. <br />CDC will continue to assist laboratories, healthcare providers, and health departments to overcome the challenges of <br />measuring and managing lower levels of blood lead in children. CDC developed a template for clinical laboratories to <br />report blood lead test results on the blood lead laboratory report. This reporting template identies the BLRV and <br />delineates risk-based intervals that represent escalating priorities for public health and medical intervention. <br /> <br />What does this mean for healthcare professionals?Healthcare professionals should interpret the blood lead levels (BLLs) of their patients in accordance with the <br />updated blood lead reference value (BLRV). They should then determine the need for follow-up testing and <br />interventions for those children identied with BLLs at or above the BLRV. CDC has developed outreach materials to <br />assist healthcare professionals. These can be found on our healthcare provider’s webpage. <br />What does this mean for parents of children who test above 3.5 µg/dL?