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THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH CONFIRMED ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS IN MONROE COUNTY DECLINEd IN 2022
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning continues to monitor the number of children tested for Elevated Blood Lead Levels (EBLLs) in Monroe County, and those testing outcomes. In the Monroe County Department of Public Health’s 2022 report, the total number of lead screenings remained fairly flat in 2022, but the percent of children with confirmed EBLLs of 5 μg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) or higher decreased by nearly 30% compared to 2021. That equates to 140 children or 56 fewer than in 2021.
Of the children with confirmed EBLLs of 5 or higher, 101 had EBBLs of 5-9 μg/dl or higher, a decrease of 28.5% countywide and 31.5% among children living in the City of Rochester. More significantly, 39 children had confirmed EBLLs of 10 μg/dl or higher, a decrease of 39% and 51.7% countywide and among city children respectively.
In 2019, the New York State Department of Health lowered its reference value of what constitutes an elevated blood lead level (EBLL) from >10 μg/dL to >5 μg/dL, in alignment with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has since announced its updated reference value for EBLL to be >3.5 μg/dL, lowering it even further in recognition that there is no safe level of lead.
Co-chair of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning’s Screening & Professional Education Committee and Director of WNY Lead Poisoning Resource Center, Dr. Stanley Schaffer said, “While we are very encouraged by the decline in confirmed elevated blood lead levels in 2022, even one child poisoned is one too many and is a significant tragedy for a family.” Schaffer continued, “Ongoing education is critical to ensuring that new parents and new members of our community understand the risks and have access to resources to help them lessen the effects elevated blood lead levels can have on their children’s development.”
These numbers are important to track year over year but are ultimately a lag measure–highlighting the number of children who have already been poisoned by lead. Monroe County is committed to tracking these numbers, and uses the data to inform prevention priorities, especially in terms of where testing is falling behind.
The 2022 data released by Monroe County highlights the importance of community education on how to prevent exposure to lead hazards. The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning will continue its work by sharing information, resources, and community events on our website, just as it has for the past 20 years. To learn more visit www.theleadcoalition.org or call 585-224-3125.
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The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning (CPLP) is an education and advocacy organization dedicated to preventing childhood lead poisoning. CPLP seeks to improve the quality of life by reducing the number of children who are exposed to lead in Monroe County and by supporting preventative efforts in other communities.
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