Lead poisoning among migrant children in New York State

Abstract

Potentially hazardous painted surfaces were found in 40 per cent of 166 dwelling units surveyed in 96 upstate New York migrant labor camps, a figure substantially lower than comparable surveys in upstate New York high risk urban areas. Blood samples obtained from 79 migrant children in 1972 revealed only one child with blood lead level above 40 μg per 100 ml as compared to a 21.6 per cent yield from 5,733 high risk urban area children. A second screening program in 1974 yielded only three children of 190 tested with proven blood lead levels above 40 μg per 100 ml, although seven additional children with possible elevations were lost to follow up.