Blood lead levels among children--Rhode Island, 1993-1995.

Since January 1993, screening of children aged < 6 years for elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) has been mandatory in Rhode Island. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin was eliminated as a method of lead screening in February 1993; since then, all children in the state have been screened for lead poisoning by testing capillary or venous blood samples for lead. From March 1993 through February 1995, results of blood lead tests of 56,379 children aged < 6 years were reported to Rhode Island's lead surveillance system. This report summarizes an analysis of these data by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDH) to better characterize the burden of childhood lead poisoning in the state.