Elevated blood lead levels continue to occur frequently in children, especially among those living in low-income inner-city neighborhoods. As evidence accumulates that the "safe" level of blood lead is lower than previously thought,1 the ascertainment of all cases of elevated blood lead levels in children becomes even more important.
In 1985, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Altanta, Ga, issued new lead poisoning prevention guidelines that state that ideally all children between the ages of 9 months and 6 years should be screened annually for elevated lead levels.2 In 1987, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a similar set of guidelines.3 Both sets of guidelines describe the ideal criteria for screening, but then specify a list of priority groupings for screening if the ideal cannot be met. Neither set of guidelines provides specific recommendations regarding arrangements for the central collection and interpretation of lead screening results or for assuring the proper follow-up of abnormal test results.