Blood Lead Levels in California Workers, 1995-1999

Report of the California Occupational Blood Lead Registry

The Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OLPPP) in the Occupational Health Branch of the California Department of Public Health operates a Registry which receives laboratory reports of blood lead levels of all adults (ages 16 and up) who are tested in California. OLPPP uses the data from the Registry to identify serious cases of work-related lead poisoning requiring follow-up, estimate the magnitude and distribution of lead poisoning in California industries, and identify high-risk industries for targeted prevention activities.

Summary report (PDF) Opens in new browser window
Provides key findings, explains what OLPPP does with blood test results, and highlights two cases where blood lead level (BLL) reporting led to identifying and correcting lead hazards.

Full report (PDF, 6.2MB, 56 pages) Opens in new browser window

Full report, individual chapters:

Executive Summary (PDF)

1. Introduction (PDF)

2. How the Registry works(PDF)

3. Data summary(PDF)

4. Investigation of lead poisoning cases (PDF)

5. Discussion (PDF)

6. Conclusion (PDF)

7. Appendices

Appendix A - Sample Lead Reporting Form (PDF)

Appendix B - Registry Data Tables

   Table 1: Overview of Blood Lead Reports (PDF)

   Table 2: Blood Lead Distributions (PDF)

   Table 3: County of Employment (PDF)

   Table 4: Demographic Characteristics (PDF)

   Table 5: Industry Sector (PDF)

   Table 6: Industry (PDF)

   Table 7: Blood Lead Distribution - Battery Mfg. and Battery Recycling Industries (PDF)

   Table 8: Non-Occupational Lead Exposure (PDF)

   Table 9: Lead Poisoning Case Investigations (PDF)

   Table 10: Take-Home Lead Poisoning Case Investigations (PDF)

Appendix C - References (PDF)

Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevent Program (OLPPP) home page

Occupational Health Branch home page