Blood Lead Levels in Children

Blood lead level is a measure of the amount of lead found in blood. It is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL). The HCI Blood Lead Levels in Children indicator measures the percent of neighborhood children that have been tested and found to have lead levels over 5 µg/dL. Childhood lead exposure is a critical public health issue. High blood lead levels can cause reduced cognitive potential; children whose health or cognition has been harmed by lead suffer permanent effects that continue into adulthood. This is an “inverse” measure: a high proportion of neighborhood children with high blood levels equates to low community health. Although identified in the Housing domain, blood lead levels in children also impacts health systems and public safety, employment, economic health, and education. Blood lead data are collected by state and local health departments.

Neighborhood Indicator Value Ranksort descending
West Goldwire -% -
Collegeville -% -
Evergreen -% -
Hillman Park -% -
Norwood -% -
Sherman Heights -% -
Woodland Park -% -
Crestline -% -
Fairmont -% -
Hooper City -% -
Oak Ridge -% -
Smithfield -% -
Acipco-Finley -% -
Woodlawn -% -
Crestwood North -% -
Fairview -% -
Huffman -% -
Oak Ridge Park -% -
Smithfield Estates -% -
Airport Highlands -% -
Wylam -% -
Crestwood South -% -
Five Points South -% -
Industrial Center -% -
Oakwood Place -% -
South East Lake -% -
South Pratt -% -
Apple Valley -% -
Zion City -% -
Dolomite -% -
Forest Park -% -
Inglenook -% -
Overton -% -
South Titusville -% -
Arlington - West End -% -
Druid Hills -% -
Fountain Heights -% -
Jones Valley -% -
Oxmoor -% -
South Woodlawn -% -
Belview Heights -% -
East Avondale -% -
Garden Highlands -% -
Killough Springs -% -
Penfield Park -% -
Southside -% -
Bridlewood -% -
East Birmingham -% -
Gate City -% -
Kingston -% -
Pine Knoll Vista -% -
Spring Lake -% -
Brown Springs -% -
East Brownville -% -
Germania Park -% -
Liberty Highlands -% -
Powderly -% -
Sun Valley -% -
Brownsville Heights -% -
East Lake -% -
Glen Iris -% -
Maple Grove -% -
Redmont Park -% -
Tarpley City -% -
Brummitt Heights -% -
East Thomas -% -
Grasselli Heights -% -
Mason City -% -
Riley -% -
Thomas -% -
Bush Hills -% -
Eastwood -% -
Graymont -% -
North Avondale -% -
Rising - West Princeton -% -
Tuxedo -% -
Central City -% -
Echo Highlands -% -
Green Acres -% -
North Birmingham -% -
Roebuck -% -
Wahouma -% -
Central Park -% -
Enon Ridge -% -
Harriman Park -% -
North East Lake -% -
Roebuck Springs -% -
West Brownville -% -
Central Pratt -% -
Ensley -% -
Highland Park -% -
North Pratt -% -
Roosevelt -% -
West End Manor -% -
College Hills -% -
Ensley Highlands -% -
Hillman -% -
North Titusville -% -
Sandusky -% -

Key Citations:
1. Asthma Community Network, Program at a Glance: New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Healthy Neighborhoods Program. Accessed August 30, 2013. Available at: http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/node/6163
2. Gould E. Childhood lead poisoning: conservative estimates of the social and economic benefits of lead hazard control. Environmental Health Perspective. 2009;117(7):1162–1167.
3. Trasande L and Liu Y. Reducing the staggering costs of environmental disease in children, estimated at $76.6 billion in 2008. Health Affairs. 2011; 30 (5): 863–869.
4. Jusko TA, Henderson CR, Lanphear BP, Cory-Slechta DA, Parsons PJ, Canfield RL. Blood lead Concentrations. Environ. Health Perspect. 2008;116(2):243–248.
5. Mazumdar M, Bellinger DC, Gregas M, Abanilla K, Bacic J, Needleman HL. Low-level environmental lead exposure in childhood and adult intellectual function: a follow-up study. Environ Health. 2011;10:24.
6. Bellinger DC, Stiles KM, Needleman HL. Low-level lead exposure, intelligence and academic achievement: a long term follow-up study. Pediatrics. 1992;90(6):855–861.