Annual Blood Lead Testing Children Under 6
Annual testing of children under 6 provides information on the number of children tested each year for lead levels in the blood. The data are used to better understand and interpret blood lead level () surveillance, compare testing and BLLs within and across counties, and monitor progress towards eliminating BLLs greater than the current BLRV of 3.5 mcg/dL.
Iowa requires all children to be tested at least once before the age of 6 because children may have elevated BLLs and not have any specific symptoms. Elevated blood lead levels in young children have been associated with adverse health effects ranging from learning impairment and behavioral problems to death.
The measures presented here focus on blood lead testing of children under six based on the year tested. Evaluating blood lead testing results contributes to the overall understanding of the impact and burden of lead poisoning in Iowa. These measures can also be helpful for healthcare providers and local public health agencies for program assessment and improvement.
View the measures and access data charts, tables, and maps