CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

A confirmed blood lead level above 45ug/dL indicates what condition in a child?

1. Lead-poisoned

2. Not lead-poisoned

3. Severely malnourished

4. Lead poisoning is possible

The correct answer is: Lead-poisoned

A confirmed blood lead level above 45 µg/dL indicates that a child is lead-poisoned. This threshold is significant because it correlates with symptoms and health effects that arise from lead exposure, which can include neurological impairment, developmental delays, and various physical health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health authorities consider this level to be a critical point at which action is required to identify and remediate sources of lead exposure in the child’s environment. Levels above 45 µg/dL typically necessitate immediate clinical interventions, including potential medical treatments such as chelation therapy. Public health guidelines also emphasize the need for environmental assessments and investigations to determine the source of lead exposure in cases where blood lead levels reach this threshold, thereby protecting the child's health and promoting safer living conditions.