Environmental Case Management of Lead-exposed Persons: Guidelines for Public Health Units Revised edition

The Environmental Case Management of Lead-exposed Persons
Guidelines for Public Health Units
Revised edition

Date of publication: August 2007

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Summary

Lead absorption from other than occupational sources is a condition which is notifiable to the Medical Officer of Health under the Health Act 1956. The levels of blood lead which are required to be notified in New Zealand are ‘lead absorption equal to or in excess of 0.48 µmol/l’ (10 µg/dl).

Whilst the guidelines are applicable for any age, there is an emphasis on measures for managing cases of lead-exposed children. Originally published in 1998 after field testing of interim guidelines for a year and redrafting, these guidelines have been updated to take account of recent developments in New Zealand and internationally with respect to management of lead exposure.

This protocol assists public health units in identifying all contributory lead hazards and (open) exposure pathways using a combination of interview, visual observation, and laboratory testing. A management plan, typically incorporating both behavioural (educational) and environmental (abatement) strategies, can then be developed in consultation with the family. It must be emphasised that the guidelines aim to provide a ‘lead-safe’ environment; this is not the same as a lead-free environment.

Properly applied, the guidelines will assist with determining:

the risk of a lead hazard
appropriate advice on managing the risk, including risk communication.

These guidelines exclude places of work, and ambient (outside) air.

Publication availability

This publication is available in Word and PDF format below:

The Environmental Case Management of Lead-exposed Persons: Guidelines for Public Health Units Revised edition (Word, 730 KB)
The Environmental Case Management of Lead-exposed Persons: Guidelines for Public Health Units Revised edition (PDF, 342 KB)

This publication is also available in hard copy. You can order a copy by emailing moh@wickliffe.co.nz or calling 04 496 2277 quoting HP number 4403. Please let us know your name, your physical address and how many copies you would like.

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Publishing information

Date of publication: August 2007

ISBN 978-0-478-19130-1 (print)
ISBN 978-0-478-19131-8 (internet)

HP 4403

Citation: Ministry of Health. 2007. The Environmental Case Management of Lead-exposed Persons: Guidelines for Public Health Units: Revised edition. Wellington: Ministry of Health

Related information

Health Education Resources: Lead (www.healthed.govt.nz)