Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels
What does this measure?
The percentage of screened children aged 9 months to 4 years that had confirmed elevated blood lead levels, expressed as a rate per 1,000 children ages 0 to 4.
Why is this important?
Exposure to lead, even small amounts, significantly increases a child's risk of developing long-lasting cognitive, physiological and behavioral problems.
How is our county doing?
In 2015, Essex County screened 80% of children aged 9 months to 4 years, and detected high lead levels in 50 children, for a rate of 2.4 per 1,000 children. This was similar to the statewide rate of 2.2, and a 40% decline since 2010. Within Essex County, the cities of Lynn and Lawrence had the highest rates in 2015 - at 6.0 and 5.3, respectively - although each was a reduction in rate since 2010.
How do we compare to other counties?
Essex County had a higher rate than Middlesex, MA (1.7 per 1,000) but had more improvement since 2010. The rate in Middlesex fell 20% from 2010 to 2015. In 2013, (the most recent year of data available) the rate of 5.7 in Westchester, NY was higher than the 2013 rate of 3 in Essex County, however it is important to note that Westchester includes children screened up to age 6 in their screening.
Notes on the data
Comparable data was not available for Lake, IL. A blood lead level is confirmed as elevated when there are 10 or more µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) of lead present in the blood specimen. Lead poisoning is confirmed at 25 µg/dL and higher, and is included in the figures.