MADISON, Wis., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The median length of time it took to eliminate the lead exposure in a Wisconsin home was 465 days, a study found.
"This is the first study that looks at the time that it takes from a child's first blood lead level -- BLL -- test to the time when their home is made lead safe," said lead author Kristina M. Zierold, who conducted the study in Wisconsin while an epidemic intelligence service officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We knew there were a lot of kids with elevated BLLs, but nobody really knew how long it was taking to remove the exposure."
The researchers evaluated 382 Wisconsin children ages 6 months to 6 years from 1996 to 1999, with BLLs of 20 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or greater. In Wisconsin, these levels required a lead hazard investigation of children's residences. The median length of time it took to eliminate the lead exposure was 465 days. Overall, only 18 percent of homes were completed within six months, and 46 percent required more than 18 months to be considered lead safe, according to the study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
