Blood lead level

Blood lead level (BLL), is a measure of lead in the body. It is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL); 10 µg/dL is equivalent to 0.48 micromoles per liter (µmol/L).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that a BLL of 10 μg/dL or above is a cause for concern. However, lead can impair development even at BLLs below 10 μg/dL.

In Australia, the acceptable level of lead in blood was lowered from 25 µg/dL to 10 µg/dL in 1992. In 1993 the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) set a national target for 1998 for all Australian to have a BLL less than 15 µg/dL (except where they worked with lead), and strategies were put in place whereby 90% of pre-school children would have BLL below 15 µg/dL. In 1996 National Blood Lead Survey (the Donovan Survey) found 7.7% of children aged one to four were above 10 µg/dL, and 1.7% were above 15 µg/dL.