Compared to Distribution

an indicator guage with the arrow in the green the value is in the best half of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the yellow the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the red the value is in the worst quarter of communities.

Compared to Target

green circle with white tick inside it meets target; red circle with white cross inside it does not meet target.

Compared to a Single Value

green diamond with downward arrow inside it lower than the comparison value; red diamond with downward arrow inside it higher than the comparison value; blue diamond with downward arrow inside it not statistically different from comparison value.

Trend

green square outline with upward trending arrow inside it green square outline with downward trending arrow inside it non-significant change over time; green square with upward trending arrow inside it green square with downward trending arrow inside it significant change over time; blue square with equals sign no change over time.

Compared to Prior Value

green triangle with upward trending arrow inside it higher than the previous measurement period; green triangle with downward trending arrow inside it lower than the previous measurement period; blue equals sign no statistically different change from previous measurement period.

green chart bars Significantly better than the overall value

red chart bars Significantly worse than the overall value

light blue chart bars No significant difference with the overall value

gray chart bars No data on significance available

Percent of Children Under Age 6 Tested with an Elevated Blood Lead Level

Measurement Period: 2022

Filter: none (all Counties)

This indicator shows the number of children under 6 years of age with an elevated blood lead level (greater than or equal to (≥) 3.5 µg/dL) out of the number of children under age 6 in Washtenaw County who have received a blood lead test, with every child counted only once per year. This includes both elevated capillary tests and elevated venous tests. The blood lead reference value used to define elevated blood lead level was updated from 5 µg/dL to 3.5 µg/dL by the CDC in 2021. All elevated levels below are defined by the updated blood lead reference value guidance of 3.5 µg/dL.

Why is this important?

Lead is a toxic metal that may be encountered through soil, drinking water, dust, lead-based paints in homes built prior to 1978, and various consumer products (such as certain imported jewelry and toy products). Children, especially those ages 6 and under, are at an increased risk of the harmful effects of lead given that their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive while actively in development. Lead exposure is associated with a number of health effects, such as anemia, irreversible damage to the nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavioral difficulties, and decreased hearing. No blood lead level is considered safe, and typically lead poisoning builds up slowly over time without any obvious symptoms. More information on lead and lead testing guidance is available here.

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