CDC Lowers Blood Lead Reference Value for Children

In late October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it had updated its blood lead reference value (BLRV) from 5 µg/dL to 3.5 µg/dL in response to recommendations from the Lead Exposure Prevention and Advisory Committee (LEPAC). The BLRV is intended to identify children with higher levels of lead in their blood compared to most children, based on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead level (BLL) distribution in U.S. children ages 1–5 years.

According to CDC:

Despite the overall decline in BLLs, lead exposure remains a significant public health concern for some children because of persistent lead hazards in the environment. Sources of lead include housing contaminated with lead-based paint, soil contaminated by historical sources of lead including automobile gasoline and activities such as lead mining or smelting, drinking water lead service lines, and lead in household plumbing materials. Children may also be exposed to lead through ingestion of contaminated candies and food packaging; some folk remedies, cultural products, and consumer products; and lead dust that caregivers might bring home on their clothing from their workplaces.

“Lead poisoning is completely preventable if potential exposure risks to the toxic heavy metal are identified so corrective actions can be put in place,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Fortunately, testing is quick and affordable and is available for everything from paint chips, dust, soil, air and water to consumer products, toys and even foods. At EMSL, our laboratories located across the United States and Canada offer these testing services. We also provide sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits.”

To learn more about lead or other environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail