Coordinating Federal and State Lead Control Activities: The Connecticut Model for Integrated Lead Exposure Enforcement

Abstract

Abstract Activities related to lead exposure control and enforcement occur at various levels of state and federal government. Many states have blood lead surveillance programs requiring laboratories and clinicians to report elevated blood lead levels to state lead registries. In Connecticut, the Adult Blood Lead Registry, operated by the Department of Public Health and Addiction Services, receives reports of blood lead levels in excess of 10 μg/dl from clinical laboratories. Further, the U.S. Department of Labor-Occupational Safety and Health Administration, through the General Industry and Construction Lead Standards, requires biological monitoring of workers. In Connecticut, the Department of Transportation, through the Connecticut Road Industry Surveillance Project, requires monitoring of worker blood lead levels by contract specification. In 1993 these four agencies joined together to form a single integrated enforcement network designed to control lead toxicity in workers throughout Connecticut. Usin...