INCIDENCE OF HIGH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN CHICAGO CHILDREN

Abstract

The Chicago Board of Health in October 1986 began a mass-screening program using a blood lead test to detect lead poisoning in children. Atomic absorption spectroscopy made it possible to screen 5,000 specimens in 1 month, and to test a total of 68,744 children in 2 years. The incidence of high blood lead values was variable and seasonal it was lowest in November through January and highest in June. Control children exhibited the same seasonal variation in lead levels as did the children at-risk for lead poisoning. As a result of this program, 1,154 children were treated with chelates for lead poisoning in 1967 and 1968 at the Lead Poisoning Clinic, and the incidence of high blood lead levels among children living in the same areas declined from 8.5% in 1967 to 3.8% in 1968.