Research Plus

Blood lead and pregnancy

Evidence-based guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control on the identification and management of lead exposure in pregnant women recommends follow-up and interventions for women whose blood lead level exceeds 5 μg/dL (around one in 100 women of childbearing age have levels above this figure). Public health departments should identify at-risk populations and provide community-based risk factors for clinicians. These include occupational exposures as well as nutritional status, recent immigration and use of alternative remedies.

Guidelines for the identification and management of lead exposure in pregnant and lactating women. Atlanta, GA: CDC, 2010, http://goo.gl/ctuPE

Tags evidence based practice hazardous substances pregnancy, menopause and reproductive health

Occupational Health at Work February/March 2011 (vol. 07/5) pp41