Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

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Welcome to the Childhood
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
of San Luis Obispo County

Managing Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Case Management

Case Definition: The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch

(CLPPB) defines a case of childhood lead poisoning (for purposes of initiating case management) as a child from birth up to 21 years of age with:

One venous blood lead level (BLL) equal to or greater than 20 µg/dL, or
Two BLLs equal to or greater than 15 µg/dL. Must be at least 30 and no more than 600 calendar days apart. The first specimen is not required to be venous, but the second must be venous.

Blood Levels

There are two methods that can be used to test a child for lead poisoning. Those methods are 1) capillary (fingerstick), which allows a large number of children to be screened, and 2) venous (blood taken from the vein), which is very accurate. The following chart outlines what actions the local Health Department Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) staff will provide when results are received from either method. The blood lead levels given are measured in micrograms per deciliter (one millionth of a gram).

BLOOD LEAD (µg/dL)*	MANAGEMENT **
Blood Level	Fingerstick Method	Venous Method
Below 10 µg/dL	Screen at appropriate age, normally at 1 and 2 years of age.	Screen at appropriate age, normally at 1 and 2 years of age.
Below 10 µg/dL	No action from local Health Department.	CLPPP Staff will provide: Follow up letter and educational materials Physician to provide anticipatory guidance.
10 - 14 µg/dL	Your child needs a venous blood test for confirmation within 1 month.	Retest in 3 months with venous blood test.
10 - 14 µg/dL	CLPPP staff will provide: Telephone consultation Facilitate a venous blood test for confirmation	CLPPP staff will provide: Telephone consultation and guidance Nutrition evaluation and lead exposure history Lead education literature Facilitate retest in 3 months
15 - 19 µg/dL	Your child needs a venous blood test for confirmation in 2 to 4 weeks.	Retest in 1 to 2 months. If your child has a second blood lead test result in this range, CLPPP staff will proceed according to actions for blood lead levels between 20 - 40 µg/dL.
15 - 19 µg/dL	CLPPP staff will provide: Telephone consultation Facilitate a venous blood test for confirmation	CLPPP staff will provide: Telephone consultation and guidance Nutrition evaluation and lead exposure history Lead education literature Facilitate retest in 1 to 2 months
20 - 44 µg/dL	Your child needs a venous blood test for confirmation in 1 to 2 weeks.	Restest in 1 month.
20 - 44 µg/dL	CLPPP staff will provide: Telephone consultation Facilitate a venous blood test for confirmation	CLPPP staff will provide: Telephone consultation and guidance Nutrition evaluation and lead exposure history Public Health Nurse home visit Medical case management Environmental investigation by a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)*** Referral to California Children's Services Lead education literature Facilitate retest in 1 week to 1 month depending on blood lead level

*Screening may be on capillary specimens. Confirmatory and follow-up BLLs should be on venous draws.
**See Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Managing Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Young Children. Atlanta, GA: US Dept. of Health and Human Services, March 2002.
***Contact the local Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program or the Health Officer, California Department of Health Services, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, (510) 622-5000.

Top of Page

Lead Education

CLPP Program Update
Lead In Jewelry Law - September 1, 2007
Lead Testing for the Home

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Brochure (English)

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Brochure (Spanish)

Lead Paint Safety

Learn About Lead Poisoning and How to Protect Your Children

Nutritional Information for Well Fed = Less Lead

Lead in House Paint and Dirt

Handbook for Contractors, Property Managers, and Maintenance Personnel

Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home

Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling

Simple Steps to Protect Your Child From Lead

Do Not Take Lead Home From Work

Candies and Treats With Toxic Lead Levels

Toxic Treats Printable Brochure (English/Spanish)
Alliance Alert

Los folletos en español llame a (805) 781-5503

Links

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch

San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Department
Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP)
Prop 65 (Lead Products Warning): Questions and Answers

National Lead Information Center

Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Environmental Health Initiative (EHI)

Hazardous Toy Disposal

Take recalled toys/items back to the store where it was purchased or return it to the manufacturer.
If it is not possible to return the recalled toys/items, they are to be taken to a permanent Household Hazardous Waste site for disposal. Please check this site for additional information: www.iwma.com.