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Important Facts for Mean Blood Lead Levels among Children

Definition

Mean (average) blood lead levels in children aged 1-5 years

Numerator

Sum of blood lead levels in each child aged 1-5 years

Denominator

Total number of children aged 1-5 years

Why Is This Important?

Lead can disrupt the normal growth and development of a child's brain and central nervous system. Children may be exposed to lead in lead-based paint; some imported goods such as toys, cosmetics, candy, and spices; some herbal remedies and folk medicines; lead pipes; and ceramic pottery.[https://nj.gov/health/childhoodlead/documents/knowlead_poster_english.pdf ^1^]

Healthy People Objective: Reduce the mean blood lead levels in children

U.S. Target: 1.6 ug/dL average blood lead level in children aged 1-5 years
State Target: 1.5 ug/dL average blood lead level in children aged 1-5 years

Other Objectives

'''Revised Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective MCH-12''': Reduce mean blood lead levels in children aged 1-5 years to an average blood lead level of <=1.5 mcg/dL. '''Original Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective MCH-12''': Reduce mean blood lead levels in children aged 1-5 years to an average blood lead level of <=2.9 mcg/dL.

How Are We Doing?

The average blood lead level of children aged 1-5 years is declining. The original Healthy New Jersey 2020 target of 2.9 mcg/dL was met in 2007-2010 and the new target of 1.5 mcg/dL was met in 2017-2020.

Health Program Information

NJDOH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: [http://www.state.nj.us/health/childhoodlead/]
The information provided above is from the Department of Health's NJSHAD web site (https://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Thu, 28 March 2024 13:27:59 from Department of Health, New Jersey State Health Assessment Data Web site: https://nj.gov/health/shad ".

Content updated: no date