MMWR. Surveillance summaries : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries
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Lead is neurotoxic and particularly harmful to the developing nervous systems of fetuses and young children. Extremely high blood lead levels (BLLs) (i.e.,> or =70 microg/dL) can cause severe neurologic problems (e.g., seizure, coma, and death). However, no threshold has been determined regarding lead's harmful effects on children's learning and behavior. In 1990, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established a national goal to eliminate BLLs >25 microg/dL by 2000; a new goal targets elimination of BLLs > or =10 microg/dL in children aged <6 years by 2010. ⋯ States will continue to use surveillance data to 1) promote legislation supporting lead poisoning prevention activities, 2) obtain funding, 3) identify risk groups, 4) target and evaluate prevention activities, and 5) monitor and describe progress toward elimination of BLLs > or =10 microg/dL. CDC will work with state and local programs to improve tracking systems and the collection, timeliness, and quality of surveillance data.