Implementation of the Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has set as an objective the elimination of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children in the United States by the year 2010 (1); an interim goal, specified as a national health objective for the year 2000, is to reduce BLLs greater than 15 micrograms/dL and greater than 25 micrograms/dL among children aged 6 months-5 years to no more than 500,000 and zero, respectively (objective 11.4) (2). The Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988 authorized CDC to make grants to state and local agencies for comprehensive programs designed to 1) screen infants and children for elevated BLLs, 2) ensure referral for medical and environmental intervention for lead-poisoned infants and children, and 3) provide education about childhood lead poisoning. This report summarizes efforts to implement the Lead Contamination Control Act.