LEAD-CONTAMINATED HOUSE-DUST AND URBAN CHILDRENS BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

Objectives. This study assessed the relationship between lead-contamin ated house dust and urban children's blood lead levels. Methods. A ran dom-sample survey was used to identify and enroll 205 children, 12 to 31 months of age, who had resided in the same house since at least 6 m onths of age. Children's blood and household dust, water, soil, and pa int were analyzed for lead, and interviews were conducted to ascertain risk factors fur elevated blood lead (greater than or equal to 10 mu g/dL). Results. Children's mean blood lead level was 7.7 mu g/dL. In a ddition to dust lead loading (micrograms of lead per square foot), ind ependent predictors of children's blood lead were Black race, soil lea d levels, ingestion of soil or dirt, lead content and condition of pai nted surfaces. and water lead levels. For dust lead standards of 5 mu g/sq ft, 20 mu g/sq ft, and 40 mu g/sq ft on noncarpeted floors, the e stimated percentages of children having blood lead levels at or above 10 mu g/dL were 4%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, after adjusting for ot her significant covariates. Conclusions. Lead-contaminated house dust is a significant contributor to lead intake among urban children who h ave low-level elevations in blood lead, A substantial proportion of ch ildren may have blood lead levels of at least 10 mu g/dL at dust lead levels considerably lower than current standards.