This level is currently 5 mcg/dL, which will be reevaluated every 4 years using the last two sets of NHANES data. 4 The CDC’s new reference value is the 97.5th percentile of the NHANES-generated BLL distribution in children aged 1 to 5 years. 3 The CDC conducts NHANES every 2 years and collects health data on U.S. Instead, the CDC looked at BLL percentiles from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In January 2012, the CDC eliminated the use of ≥10 mcg/dL as the BLL of concern. 2 This study, along with 22 other published reports, was used by the CDC in determining that no level of lead exposure is safe. This shows that the relationship between IQ score and BLL is nonlinear and that there is a great decline initially at BLL up to 10 mcg/dL. However, when stratified to include only children whose BLL remained below 10 mcg/dL for all 5 years, the effect on IQ was much greater, at 7.4 points lost. 1 In the overall population, it was found that for each 10 mcg/dL increase in BLL, there was a loss of 4.6 IQ points. A major study followed children born in 1994 or 1995 for 5 years, monitoring their intelligence quotient (IQ) and BLL. 1 However, there has been much research showing that even lower values can cause cognitive and behavioral deficits. In the past, the CDC designated ≥10 mcg/dL as the blood lead level (BLL) of concern. 1 Even minimal concentrations of lead can cause cognitive defects. Exposure can occur with inhalation or ingestion and, once someone is exposed, it can take years to eliminate lead from the body. ![]() The majority of exposures come from two sources: gasoline and paint. The key to reducing the public burden of lead poisoning is prevention and education.Īlthough lead is a natural substance, lead toxicity has been a public health concern for over 25 years because it has been linked to cognitive, behavioral, and motor problems in children. Pharmacists can play an important role in education, treatment, and monitoring of children with lead toxicity. There are four available agents used to treat lead toxicity: dimercaprol, CaNa 2EDTA, succimer, and D-penicillamine. In most cases, exposure can be prevented or at least minimized and eliminated. ![]() ![]() ABSTRACT: Lead toxicity is a major public health concern because it can cause cognitive, behavioral, and motor problems in children.
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