Minnesota childhood blood lead guidelines

Lead poisoning continues to pose a major environmental health threat to Minnesota's children. Currently, about 2,000 children a year in Minnesota are identified as having elevated blood lead (greater than 10 micrograms/dL). The Minnesota Department of Health has developed statewide guidelines for screening, case management, and clinical treatment of children who have been exposed to lead. The screening guidelines target children with the highest risk of exposure. The case management guidelines provide information to public health agencies on recommended steps for dealing with an elevated blood lead case. The clinical treatment guidelines assist physicians and other health care professionals with the medical aspects of a lead case. These guidelines are based on state data, were developed using diverse work groups, and have been endorsed by the medical community. They provide Minnesota-specific guidance on how to best identify and treat a child exposed to lead and to minimize exposure.