In a move that is sure to have repercussions across a variety of lead reduction programs and regulations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it was lowering the level at which it considers the blood lead level of children to be “of concern.” The new reference level of concern is calculated based on blood lead levels of the top 2.5 percent of young children (ages 1-5) tested for lead exposure. Using this new methodology results in a level of concern of 5 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL), which is half of the previous 10 μg/dL level of concern used by CDC, and will result in more children being identified for follow-up actions to reduce lead exposure.
The change in methodology to calculate the level of concern is an outgrowth of recommendations from the Advisory Committee for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (ACCLPP), which advises CDC on lead poisoning issues. Additional information on the new level of concern, including links to a fact sheet and ACCLPP’s recent report and recommendations, is available on CDC’s ACCLP webpage at http://amwa.net/CDClead.
EPA has yet to comment on CDC’s revised methodology and its implications for drinking water lead regulations are unclear at this time, though the new level is sure to be taken into consideration by EPA as it continues to develop long term revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule.