Lead screenings in Maine
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Why This Indicator Matters
Maine law implemented in June 2019 requires blood lead tests for all children at 1 and 2 years of age. The latest federal CDC guidelines reduced the blood reference value (BLRV)—the measure used to determine when interventions are needed—from 5 μg/dL to 3.5 μg/dL as even lower levels are now understood as unsafe.
- What the data shows:
For 2020, Oxford County achieved the highest level at 86.4% of children ages 12- 24 months screened for blood lead. Three other counties – Aroostook (75.9%), Washington (73.0%), and Hancock (70.2%) had rates above 70% of children in the age group. Counties with rates under 50% included Piscataquis, (23.3%), Sagadahoc, (42.8%), Waldo (42.5%), Lincoln (45.3%) and Sagadahoc (47.3%).
Definitions: Children can be given a blood test to measure the level of lead in their blood. This measure shows the number and percent of lead screenings for children ages 12 -24 months as that is the recommended time for the screening. For percent of screenings, the numerator is the estimated number of children ages 12 -24 month who received lead screenings and the denominator is the number of children ages 12 -24 months. Note that a blood lead test is considered a "screening test" only when a child has no prior history of a confirmed blood lead at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL).
Data Source: Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Maine Tracking Network
Footnotes:
The latest federal CDC guidelines reduced the blood reference value (BLRV)—the measure used to determine when interventions are needed—from 5 μg/dL to 3.5 μg/dL as even lower levels are now understood as unsafe, however, the data through 2020 does not use this newer threshold.
Updated October 2022.