Family operational co-factors in the epidemiology of childhood lead poisoning.

A large-scale data base was derived from the New Haven Connecticut Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program. A subset of 918 children was examined to explore the associations of blood lead levels in these children and four family operational factors. Elevated lead in the children was positively associated with: (a) larger numbers of children under 6 yr in the family; (b) fewer parents at home; (c) fewer parents employed; and (d) lack of day care. Additional environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic factors in childhood lead poisoning and its control are under study.