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Updated Blood Lead Reference Value (BLRV)
On October 28, 2021, CDC updated its blood lead reference value (BLRV) from 5 μg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) to 3.5 μg/dL in response to the Lead Exposure Prevention and Advisory Committee (LEPAC) recommendations made on May 14, 2021. The BLRV is intended to identify children with higher levels of lead in their blood compared to most children, based on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead level (BLL) distribution in U.S. children ages 1–5 years. Given that no safe BLL has been established, earlier recognition of lead exposure enables providers and families to intervene by stopping exposure that might otherwise result in higher blood lead concentrations.
The Alaska Lead Surveillance Program has adopted the updated BLRV of 3.5 μg/dL as the threshold for when to conduct a follow-up investigation of a child under age 18 with lead exposure. By adopting the updated BLRV, we will be able to make additional progress on reducing lead exposure among more Alaska children. Additional information about the updated BLRV as well as specific information for health care providers can be found in the attached document, AK Brief of CDC BLRV Changes, or on the Alaska Lead Surveillance Program website.
Clarification of Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update 457: Expansion of Recall of LeadCare Blood Tests Due to Rick of Falsely Low Results
On November 5, 2021, CDC issued Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update 457: Expansion of Recall of LeadCare Blood Lead Tests Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results. This HAN update provides clarification to the previous CDC HAN Update 454: Expansion of Recall of LeadCare Blood Lead Tests Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results issued on October 14, 2021.
The purpose of this HAN Update is to clarify options for retesting children who were tested with the recalled LeadCare lead test kits. CDC is now recommending that retesting of children due to the LeadCare recall be done by higher complexity testing for either a venous or capillary blood sample. Capillary screening results above the BLRV should be confirmed with blood drawn by venipuncture. This is a change from the previous recommendation of retesting all children using a venous blood sample. This change allows for more flexibility by providers and others making decisions about retesting, which may result in an increase in retesting rates overall.
Additional information about the recall of LeadCare blood lead tests as well as specific information for health care providers can be found in the attached document, LeadCare Recall AK FAQ, or on the Alaska Lead Surveillance Program website.
For more information about lead exposure and blood lead testing in Alaska, visit the Alaska Lead Surveillance Program website. Those who have further questions can contact the Section of Epidemiology at (907) 269-8000 or [email protected].
Lead Surveillance Program ResourcesAlaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
The Alaska Lead Surveillance Program has adopted the updated BLRV of 3.5 μg/dL as the threshold for when to conduct a follow-up investigation of a child under age 18 with lead exposure. By adopting the updated BLRV, we will be able to make additional progress on reducing lead exposure among more Alaska children. Additional information about the updated BLRV as well as specific information for health care providers can be found in the attached document, AK Brief of CDC BLRV Changes, or on the Alaska Lead Surveillance Program website.
Clarification of Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update 457: Expansion of Recall of LeadCare Blood Tests Due to Rick of Falsely Low Results
On November 5, 2021, CDC issued Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update 457: Expansion of Recall of LeadCare Blood Lead Tests Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results. This HAN update provides clarification to the previous CDC HAN Update 454: Expansion of Recall of LeadCare Blood Lead Tests Due to Risk of Falsely Low Results issued on October 14, 2021.
The purpose of this HAN Update is to clarify options for retesting children who were tested with the recalled LeadCare lead test kits. CDC is now recommending that retesting of children due to the LeadCare recall be done by higher complexity testing for either a venous or capillary blood sample. Capillary screening results above the BLRV should be confirmed with blood drawn by venipuncture. This is a change from the previous recommendation of retesting all children using a venous blood sample. This change allows for more flexibility by providers and others making decisions about retesting, which may result in an increase in retesting rates overall.
Additional information about the recall of LeadCare blood lead tests as well as specific information for health care providers can be found in the attached document, LeadCare Recall AK FAQ, or on the Alaska Lead Surveillance Program website.
For more information about lead exposure and blood lead testing in Alaska, visit the Alaska Lead Surveillance Program website. Those who have further questions can contact the Section of Epidemiology at (907) 269-8000 or [email protected].
Lead Surveillance Program ResourcesAlaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
- Alaska Lead Surveillance Program
- Lead Free Alaska webpage
- DHSS Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire
- Heavy Metal and Toxic Exposure Report Form
- Print Materials:
- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention webpage
- Sources of Lead Exposure
- Health Effects of Lead Exposure
- Blood Lead Levels in Children
