Definition

A lead screening blood test measures the level of lead in a child's blood stream. State law now requires lead screenings both at age 1 (12-24 months) and at age 2 (24- 36 months). This indicator displays the number and percent of lead screenings for children ages 12 to 24 months. For percent of screenings, the numerator is the estimated number of children ages 12 to 24 months who received lead screenings and the denominator is the number of children ages 12 to 24 months. Note that a blood lead test is considered a "screening test" only when a child has no prior history of a confirmed blood lead at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL).

Data Source

Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Maine Tracking Network

Notes

The latest federal CDC guidelines reduced the blood reference value (BLRV)—the measure used to determine when interventions are needed—from 5 μg/dL to 3.5 μg/dL as even lower levels are now understood as unsafe, however, the data posted to the Maine Tracking Network through 2022 does not use this newer threshold.

Last Updated

2025-12