Alaska Lead Surveillance Program
Alaska has a comprehensive statewide blood lead surveillance program and targeted screening program to identify and control sources of lead exposure and assist in the medical management of patients with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). In Alaska, elevated lead levels are found mostly in adults, usually as a result of mining occupations, casting of lead bullets or fishing weights, or exposure in shooting ranges. Present efforts are being directed towards targeted screening of populations potentially at risk for elevated lead exposures. These include occupational and non-occupational exposures. In Alaska, follow-up investigations are conducted for children under age 18 when the initial BLL is 5 µg/dL or higher and for adults when the initial BLL is 25 µg/dL or higher. For occupational exposures, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires follow-ups when BLLs exceed 40 µg/dL.
Lead Exposure
Blood Lead screening
Blood lead testing
Patient and health care provider follow-ups
Health education
Topics:
Lab tests for lead content in blood
Infrequently reported
Individuals with blood lead laboratory report
Age, sex, industry, occupation, exposure
Statewide
On-going maniditory reporting, summarized quarterly and annually
Submitted laboratory reports on lead content in blood
Manditory reporting
Manditory reporting
Manditory reporting
This surveillance program depends on health care provider collection of blood samples for lead testing. The population is not screened in a systematic method that aims to collect a representative sample by region, sex, community, race, or socioeconomic status.
For data requests that cannot be satisfied through the available links or to learn how to obtain copies of program data, contact the Lead Surveillance Database coordinators at eph@alaska.gov or call (907) 269-8000.
Stacey Cooper (907 269 8016) and Sandrine Deglin (907 269 8028)
Stacey.Cooper@alaska.gov or Sandrine.Deglin@alaska.gov
Environmental Public Health Program
Section of Epidemiology
Division of Public Health
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
3601 C St Suite 540
Anchorage, AK 99503
Stacey.Cooper@alaska.gov or Sandrine.Deglin@alaska.gov
Environmental Public Health Program
Section of Epidemiology
Division of Public Health
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
3601 C St Suite 540
Anchorage, AK 99503