Children with elevated blood lead levels related to home renovation, repair, and painting activities--New York State, 2006-2007.

Although blood lead levels (BLLs) >/=10 microg/dL are associated with adverse behavioral and developmental outcomes, and environmental and medical interventions are recommended at >/=20 microg/dL, no level is considered safe. A 1997 analysis conducted by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) indicated that home renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) activities were important sources of lead exposure among children with BLLs >/=20 microg/dL in New York state (excluding New York City) during 1993--1994. Subsequently, local health departments in New York state began to routinely collect information about RRP activities when investigating children's home environments for lead sources. This report updates the 1997 analysis with data from environmental investigations conducted during 2006--2007 in New York state (excluding New York City) for 972 children with BLLs >/=20 microg/dL. RRP activities were identified as the probable source of lead exposure in 139 (14%) of the 972 children. Resident owners or tenants performed 66% of the RRP work, which often included sanding and scraping (42%), removal of painted materials or structures (29%), and other activities (29%) that can release particles of lead-based paint. RRP activities continued to be an important source of lead exposure during 2006--2007. Children living in housing built before 1978 (when lead-based paint was banned from residential use) that are undergoing RRP activities should be considered at high risk for elevated BLLs, and appropriate precautions should be taken to prevent exposure.