CDC Updates Blood Lead Reference Value for Children

U.S. health officials have changed their definition of lead poisoning in young children — a move expected to more than double the number of kids with worrisome levels of the toxic metal in their blood. The more stringent standard announced by the CDC means the number of children ages 1 to 5 considered to have high blood lead levels will grow from about 200,000 to about 500,000. Kids can absorb four to five times as much lead as adults exposed to the same source, harming children's brain development and leading to attention and behavior problems. The CDC last changed the definition nine years ago.