Updated blood lead reference value for children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its blood lead reference value (BLRV) from 5 µg/dL to 3.5 µg/dL in response to a recommendation by the Lead Exposure Prevention and Advisory Committee (LEPAC).

The BLRV aims 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 to 5 years.¹ However, the CDC states that there is no safe BLL in children and that even low levels of lead in blood can affect learning and academic achievement and have permanent effects. It is critical for providers to partner with parents and caregivers to help prevent exposure and lower a child’s lead level, if necessary. To connect members with case management and for environmental lead investigation support, please contact the UPMC Pediatric Care Management Department. You can email a referral to pedscasemanagement@upmc.edu or call 1-866-778-6073 and select “pediatrics.”

Learn more
For more information about BLL in children, visit cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/blood-lead-levels.htm. You can also view the UPMC Health Plan Lead Screening Provider Tip Sheet.

Source
¹Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC updates blood lead reference value for children. Last reviewed Oct. 28, 2021. Accessed Nov. 2, 2021. cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1028-blood-lead.html