Scientific Publications

Note

Some of the documents below refer to a blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) as the CDC's blood lead reference value. CDC uses a blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with blood lead levels that are higher than most children's levels. This new level is based on the U.S. population of children ages 1-5 years who represent the top 2.5% of children with the highest blood lead levels. For more information, refer to blood lead reference value.

Some of the documents below may also refer to a blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) as the CDC level of concern for adverse health outcomes in children. This terminology is outdated, and readers are referred to the ACCLPP recommendations of 2012.

Some of the documents on this page are presented for historical purposes and are not being maintained or updated.

2025- Present

CDC

• Hu W, LeBlanc TT, Ruckart PZ, Brooks-Griffin QS, Allwood P. Association Between Lead Exposure and Red Blood Cell Folate Concentrations in U.S. Children Aged 2-17 Years: An Analysis of Data from NHANES 2007-2018. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Dec 17;21(12):1676. . PMID: 39767515; PMCID: PMC11675533.

2021-2024

CDC

• Hu, W., LeBlanc, T. T., Ruckart, P. Z., Brooks-Griffin, Q. S., & Allwood, P. (2024). Association Between Lead Exposure and Red Blood Cell Folate Concentrations in U.S. Children Aged 2–17 Years: An Analysis of Data from NHANES 2007–2018. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(12), 1676.

• LeBlanc TT, Chang; A, Svendsen ER, Allwood PB. . Pediatrics. 2024; 154: (S2).
  • Aaron Bernstein; . Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808B. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808B
  • Tanya Telfair LeBlanc, Arthur Chang, Erik Svendsen, Paul Allwood; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808C. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808C
  • Ron Shadbegian, Linda Bui, Heather Klemick, Rebecca Margolit-Chan, Anh Hoang, Dennis Guignet; . Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808D. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808D
  • Yeh-Hsin Chen, Zhen-Qiang Ma, Krista P. Davis, Debra L. Bogen, Sharon M. Watkins; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808E. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808E
  • Audrey F. Pennington, Madison R. Smith, Stella O. Chuke, Cheryl R. Cornwell, Paul B. Allwood, Joseph G. Courtney; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808F. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808F
  • Leah Seifu, Slavenka Sedlar, Ta'Sharee Grant, Andrew Faciano, Jacqueline Ehrlich; . Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808G. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808G
  • Suganthinie Velagala, Aditya Chhikara, Jennifer Haile; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808H. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808H
  • Katherine M. Johnson, Alan D. Woolf, Marissa Hauptman, Blair J. Wylie; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808I. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808I
  • Marissa Hauptman, Marc Nascarella, Jocelyn Silvester, Mark Kellogg, Shalini H. Shah, Keith Acosta, Aroub Yousuf, Alan D. Woolf; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808J. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808J
  • Mackenzie R. Dreher, Ann Printy, Joel Davidson, Bruna Schneider, Andrew Neuhauser, James B. Besunder, Martha G. Blackford; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808K. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808K
  • Laura T. Leonard, Margaret E. Talbott; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808L. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808L
  • Gredia Huerta-Montañez, Wilmarie Muñiz-Forestier, Cindy Calderón, Perry Sheffield; C Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808M. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808M
  • Perri Zeitz Ruckart, Rio Schondelmeyer, Alexis Allen, Paul Allwood; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808N. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808N
  • Paromita Hore, Slavenka Sedlar; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808O. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808O
  • Paul Allwood, Perri Zeitz Ruckart, Qaiyim Harris; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808P. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808P
• LeBlanc TT, Svendsen ER, Allwood PB. Am J Public Health. 2022; 112(S7):S628-S628.
• LeBlanc TT, Svendsen ER, Allwood PB. Am J Public Health. 2022; 112(S7):S630-S631.
• Breysse PN. Am J Public Health. 2022; 112(S7):S632-S634.
• Allwood PB, Falk H, Svendsen ER. Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S635-S639.
• Breysse PN, Cascio WE, Geller AM, Choiniere CJ, Ammon M. Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S640-S646.
• Calabrese T, Corcoran P, Limjuco S, Bernardi C, Plattos A, et al. Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S647-S650.
• Zartarian V, Poulakos A, Garrison VH, Spalt N, Tornero-Velez R, et al. Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S658-S669.
• Ruckart PZ, Bove FJ, Dallas C. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2022.
• Egan KB, Dignam T, Brown MJ, Bayleyegn T, Blanton C. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2022; 19(6151):1-14.
• Ruckart PZ, Jones RL, Courtney JG, LeBlanc TL, Jackson W, Karwowski MP, Cheng P, Allwood P, Svendsen ER, Breysse PN. Update of the Blood Lead Reference Value — United States, 2021. MMWR. 2021; 70(43):1509-1512.
• Egan KB, Cornwell CR, Courtney JG, Ettinger AS. Environ Health Perspect. 2021; 129(3):1-11.
• Courtney JG, Chuke SO, Dyke K, Credle K, Lecours C, Egan KB, Leonard M. Decreases in Young Children Who Received Blood Lead Level Testing During COVID-19 — 34 Jurisdictions, January–May 2020. MMWR. 2021; 70(5):155-161.

Partners

• Alex-Oni, K., Sedlar, S. & Hore, P. . J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 33, 157–159 (2023).
• Hore P, Sedlar S, Ehrlich J. Lead Poisoning in a Mother and Her Four Children Using a Traditional Eye Cosmetic — New York City, 2012–2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:667–671.
• Paromita Hore, Slavenka Sedlar; . Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808O. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808O
• Leah Seifu, Slavenka Sedlar, Ta'Sharee Grant, Andrew Faciano, Jacqueline Ehrlich; Pediatrics October 2024; 154 (Supplement 2): e2024067808G. 10.1542/peds.2024-067808G
• Totoni S, Fabisiak JP, Beasley VR, Arnemo JM, Schultz JH, et al. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S651-S654.
• Yendell S, Janowiak D, Yannarelly J, Rezania Z, Haugen K, et al. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S655-S657.
• Oda G, Sharma A, Lucero-Obusan C, Schirmer P, Holodniy M. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S670-S678.
• Cradock AL, Barrett JL, Poole MK, Flax CN, Vollmer L, Hecht C. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S679-S689.
• Armatas C, Loper B, Tandoc A, Materna BL. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S690-S694.
• Redmon JH, Kondash AJ, Norman E, Johnson J, Levine K, et al. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S695-S705.
• Anil L, Ma Z, Nambiar A, Watkins SM. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S706-S714.
• Present PS, Berg K, Snow M, Richardson K. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S715-S722.
• Gottesfield P. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S723-S729.
• Hore P, Kolapo A, Sedlar S, Patel K, Saper RB. . Am J Public Health. 2022. 112(S7):S730-S740.

• Hore P, Alex-Oni K, Bardhi N, Sedlar S. Notes from the Field: Lead Poisoning in a Family of Five Resulting from Use of Traditional Glazed Ceramic Ware — New York City, 2017–2022. MMWR. 2022; 71:743–744.

2016-2020

CDC

• Cornwell CR, Egan KB, Zahran HS, Mirabelli MC, Hsu J, Chew GL. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2020; 31(6):695-699.
• Dignam T, Hodge J, Chuke S, Mercado C, Ettinger A, Flanders DW. Environmental Epidemiology. 2020; 4(2):e090.
• Breysse PN. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S3-S4.
• Caldwell KL, Cheng P-Y, Vance KA, Makhmudov A, Jarrett JM, Caudill SP, Ho D-P, Jones RL. Robert. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S23-S30.
• Dignam T, Kaufmann RB, LeStourgeon L, Brown MJ. . J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S13-22.
• Egan KB, Tsai RJ, Chuke SO. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S98-S104.
• Ettinger AS, Leonard ML, Mason J. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S5-S12.
• Ettinger AS, Ruckart PZ, Dignam T. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S1-S2
• Lockamy-Kassim E, Friedberg J, Newby C, Lecours C, Credle K, Leonard M. Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S111-S114.
• Mason J, Ortiz D, Pappas S, Quigley S, Yendell S, Ettinger AS. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S91-S97.
• Ruckart PZ, Ettinger AS, Hanna-Attisha M, Jones N, Davis SI, Breysse PN. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S84-S90.
• Trinh E, Mason J. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S105-S110.
• Whitehead LS, Buchanan SD. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S115-S120.
• Raymond J, Brown MJ. Childhood Blood Lead Levels in Children Aged <5 Years — United States, 2007–2014. MMWR. 2017; 66:1-10.
• Kennedy C, Yard E, Dignam T, Buchanan S, Condon S, Brown MJ, et al. Blood Lead Levels Among Children Aged <6 Years — Flint, Michigan, 2013–2016. MMWR. 2016; 65(25):650-4.
• Kaufman JA, Brown MJ, Umar-Tsafe NT, Adbullah MB, Getso KI, Kaita IM, et al. J Health Pollut. 2016; 6(11):2-8.

Partners

• Asburry A, Blatt M. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S58-S62.
• Bressler JM, Yoder S, Cooper S, McLaughlin J. . J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S71-S75.
• Bruce SA, Christensen KY, Coons MJ, Havlena JA, Meiman JG, Walsh RO. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S51-S57.
• Cluett R, Fleisch A, Decker K, Frohmberg E, Smith AE. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S76-S83.
• Gettens GC, Drouin BB. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S31-S36.
• Haboush-Deloye A, Marquez E, Marshall M, Gerstenberger SL. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S37-S43.
• Hore P, Ahmed M, Sedlar S, Saper R, Nagin D, Clark N. J Immigrant Minority Health. 2017; 19:1322–1329.
• Hore P, Alex-Oni K, Sedlar S, Nagin, D. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S63-S70.
• Wang, Amy; Rezania, Zaynab; Haugen, Kathryn M. B.; Baertlein L, Yendell SJ. J Public Health Manag Prac. 2019; 25(1 Supp):S44-S50.
  

2011-2015

CDC

• Raymond J, Brown MJ. Childhood Blood Lead Levels — United States, 2007–2012. MMWR. 2015; 62(54);76-80.
• Basir M, Umar-Tsafe N, Getso K, Kaita IM, Nasidi A, Sani-Gwarzo N, et al. Assessment of blood lead levels among children aged ≤5 Years — Zamfara State, Nigeria, June–July 2012. MMWR. 2014; 63(15):325-7. [Brown MJ].
• Raymond J, Wheeler W, Brown MJ. Lead screening and prevalence of blood lead levels in children aged 1–2 years—Child Blood Lead Surveillance System, United States, 2002–2010 and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 1999–2010 and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 1999–2010. MMWR. 2014; 63(Suppl 2).
• CDC. Blood Lead Levels in Children Aged 1–5 Years — United States, 1999–2010. MMWR. 2013; 62(13):245-248.
• Dooyema CA, Neri A, Lo Y-C, Durant J, Dargan PI, Swarthout T, et al. . Environ Health Perspect. 2012; 120:601-607.
• Lo Y-C, Dooyema CA, Neri A, Durant J, Jefferies T, Medina-Marino A, et al. . Environ Health Perspect. 2012; 120:1450-1455.
• CDC. Infant Lead Poisoning Associated with Use of Tiro, an Eye Cosmetic from Nigeria – Boston, Massachusetts, 2011. MMWR. 2012; 61(30):574-576.
• CDC. Lead Poisoning in Pregnant Women Who Used Ayurvedic Medications from India — New York City, 2011–2012. MMWR. 2012; 61(33):641-646.
• CDC. Take-Home Lead Exposure Among Children with Relatives Employed at a Battery Recycling Facility — Puerto Rico, 2011. MMWR. 2012; 61(47):967-970.
• CDC. CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report – United States, 2011 [PDF – 3.01 MB]. MMWR. 2011; 60(Suppl):1-116.
• CDC. Lead Poisoning of a Child Associated with Use of a Cambodian Amulet — New York City, 2009. MMWR. 2011; 60(03):69-71.
• Thurtle N, Greig J, Cooney L, Amitai Y, Ariti C, Brown MJ, et al. PLoS Med. 2014; 11(10):e1001739.

Partners

• Hore P, Ahmed M, Nagin D, Clark N. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(8):1377-1383.

2006-2010

CDC

• CDC. Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Acute Lead Poisoning Among Children Aged <5 Years — Zamfara, Nigeria, 2010. MMWR. 2010; 59(27):846.
• CDC. Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels Related to Home Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities — New York State, 2006–2007. MMWR. 2009; 58(03):55-58.
• Iqbal S, Blumenthal W, Kennedy C, Yip FY, Pickard S, Flanders WD, Loringer K, Kruger K, Caldwell KL, Jean Brown M. Environ Res. 2009; 109(8):952-9.
• CDC. Deaths Associated with Hypocalcemia from Chelation Therapy—Texas, Pennsylvania, and Oregon, 2003–2005. MMWR. 2006; 55(8):204-207.
• CDC. Death of a Child After Ingestion of a Metallic Charm—Minnesota, 2006. MMWR. 2006; 55(12):340-341.

2001-2005

CDC

• CDC. Blood Lead Levels—United States, 1999–2002. MMWR. 2005; 54(20):513-516.
• CDC. Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Refugee Children—New Hampshire, 2003–2004. MMWR. 2005; 54(2):42-46.Erratum: Vol. 54, No. 2 MMWR. 2005; 54(3):76.
• CDC. Lead Exposure from Indoor Firing Ranges Among Students on Shooting Teams — Alaska, 2002–2004. MMWR. 2005; 54(23):577-579.

• CDC. Blood Lead Levels in Residents of Homes with Elevated Lead in Tap Water—District of Columbia, 2004. MMWR. 2004; 53(12):268-270.
  • Addendum: Following the release of the MMWR, "Blood Lead Levels in Residents of Homes with Elevated Lead in Tap Water — District of Columbia, 2004," some reports have suggested erroneously that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that lead in residential tap water at concentrations as high as 300 parts per billion is 'safe.' CDC would like to reiterate the key message from the 2004 article that because no threshold for adverse health effects in young children has been demonstrated (no safe blood level has been identified), all sources of lead exposure for children should be controlled or eliminated. Lead concentrations in drinking water should be below the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's action level of 15 parts per billion. Read more about lead in drinking water.

• CDC. Brief Report: Lead Poisoning from Ingestion of a Toy Necklace—Oregon, 2003. MMWR. 2004; 53(23):509-511.
• CDC. Childhood Lead Poisoning from Commercially Manufactured French Ceramic Dinnerware—New York City, 2003. MMWR. 2004; 53(26):584-586.
• CDC. Lead Poisoning Associated with Ayurvedic Medications—Five States, 2000–2003. MMWR. 2004; 53(26):582-584.
• CDC. Surveillance for Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Children – United States, 1997–2001. MMWR. 2003; 52(SS-10):1-21. [PDF – 333 KB]
• CDC. Childhood Lead Poisoning Associated with Tamarind Candy and Folk Remedies—California, 1999–2000. MMWR. 2002; 51(31):684-686.
• CDC. Fatal Pediatric Lead Poisoning—New Hampshire, 2000. MMWR. 2001; 50(22):457-459.
• CDC. Occupational and Take-Home Lead Poisoning Associated With Restoring Chemically Stripped Furniture—California, 1998. MMWR. 2001; 50(13):246-248.
• CDC. Trends in Blood Lead Levels Among Children—Boston, Massachusetts, 1994–1999. MMWR. 2001; 50(17):337-339.

1991-2000

CDC

• CDC. Blood Lead Levels in Young Children—United States and Selected States, 1996–1999. MMWR. 2000; 49(50):1133-1137.
• **CDC. Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Internationally Adopted Children—United States, 1998. MMWR. 2000; 49(5):97-100.
• CDC. Lead Poisoning Associated with Imported Candy and Powdered Food Coloring—California and Michigan. MMWR. 1998; 47(48):1041-1043
• CDC. Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels Attributed to Home Renovation and Remodeling Activities–New York, 1993-1994. MMWR. 1997; 45(51&52):1120-1123.
• CDC. Update: Blood Lead Levels—United States, 1991–1994. MMWR. 1997; 46(7):141.Erratum: Vol. 46, No. 7 MMWR. 1997; 46(26):607
• CDC. Targeted Screening for Childhood Lead Exposure in a Low Prevalence Area—Salt Lake County, Utah, 1995–1996. MMWR. 1997; 46(10):213-217.
• CDC. Blood Lead Levels Among Children in a Managed-Care Organization—California, October 1992–March 1993. MMWR. 1995; 44(34):627-629, 635.
• CDC. Blood Lead Levels Among Children—Rhode Island, 1993–1995. MMWR. 1995; 44(42):788-791.
• CDC. Lead Poisoning Associated with Use of Traditional Ethnic Remedies—United States. MMWR. 1993; 42(27):521-524.

Note

** These documents are being kept on this website for historical purposes and are no longer in print.