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KDHE Home - Division of Health - Bureau of Consumer Health - ABLES
Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance |
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New: 2001 Lead Poisoning Prevention Annual Report The Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) is a division of the Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Prevention Program (HHLHPP). The HHLHPP is divided into three sub-sections: Medical Surveillance, Licensure and Certification and Pre-Renovation Education (PRE). The Medical Surveillance division is primarily concerned with increasing blood lead screening among children ranging in age from six months to 72 months, considered the at risk age group. A child found to have an elevated blood lead level, classified as a level at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), is tracked by the program to ensure proper medical attention is taken. The Licensure and Certification division of the program is in charge of licensing firms and certifying individuals to perform lead abatement work, lead inspections and risk assessments. If you are interested in becoming a licensed firm or certified lead hazard professional, you can find information here. The PRE program is designed to educate the public as well as general contractors and landlords on the hazards associated with remodeling and renovation of pre-1978 housing. The ABLES program was established in January 2002 and was designed to monitor adults with elevated blood lead levels due to occupational or other means. The HHLHPP recognizes the fact that many children are exposed to lead through family members involved in activities associated with lead. These children are classified as being at increased risk for lead poisoning. The ABLES program encourages all children under six years of age and residing with an adult whose occupation or hobby exposes them to lead to be tested for an elevated blood lead level. The ABLES program attempts to match adults with elevated blood lead levels to children found to have elevated blood lead levels through name and address queries between the childhood and adult databases. Once a match has been identified, an effort is made to identify the source of lead exposure in an attempt to minimize future exposure. The ABLES program further aims to educate adults with elevated blood lead levels through the distribution of educational materials. In Kansas, there are 21 potential industry sources associated with lead. These industries expose hundreds of employees to lead everyday. Classification as a potential industry source requires the use of at least 10,000 pounds of lead or lead compounds or otherwise manufacturing and processing a minimum of 25,000 pounds of lead or lead compounds in one year. The ABLES program is funded solely by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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