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Environmental Health Division
Blood Lead Level Guidelines
On this page:
- Childhood Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Minnesota
- Childhood Blood Lead Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota
- Childhood Blood Lead Case Management Guidelines for Minnesota
- Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Minnesota
- Draft Adult blood Lead Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota
Childhood Blood Lead Guidelines
Childhood blood lead screening guidelines for Minnesota
(March 2000, Revised March 2011, Revised December 2022, and January 2025)
The Childhood Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Minnesota were officially released in March 2000. The 2022 Revision was updated based on research and feedback from a multi-disciplinary workgroup consisting of health care and public health professionals, professional healthcare associations, and other relevant partners. These guidelines were further updated in 2025 to align with changes to Minnesota Statue changes and updated to the MN Childhood Blood Lead Treatment and Case Management Guidelines. These screening guidelines now recommend universal blood lead testing of all children in Minnesota at 12 AND 24 months of age, and targeted blood lead testing for children ages 25 months through seventeen years. These screening guidelines include both a three-page summary and a longer reference manual. The guidelines are endorsed by the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA), Minnesota Nurse Practitioners (MNNP), Minnesota Chapter of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (MN NAPNAP), Minnesota Poison Control System, Region 5 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU), HealthPartners, UCare, Local Public Health Association of Minnesota (LPHA), Minnesota Environmental Health Association (MEHA), Sustainable Resources Center, Inc. (SRC), and East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC).
- Childhood Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Minnesota (PDF)
- Childhood Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Minnesota: Reference Manual (PDF)
Childhood blood lead clinical treatment guidelines for Minnesota
(July 2001/ Revised March 2011/ Revised October 2019, and January 2025)
The Childhood Blood Lead Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota were officially released in July 2001 and represent a set of best practices and recommendations for health care providers working with children exposed to lead. The 2025 Revision to these guidelines was updated based on changes to MN Statues, research, and feedback from a multi-disciplinary workgroup consisting of health care and public health professionals, professional healthcare associations, and other relevant partners. These guidelines recommend medical follow-up for children less than 18 years of age with elevated blood lead levels of 3.5 mcg/dL. These treatment guidelines include both a two-page summary and a longer reference manual. There is also a comparison document comparing treatment guidelines, case management guidelines, and risk assessment requirements. The guidelines have been reviewed and approved by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Children's Minnesota, ESNDC, HealthPartners/Park Nicollet, LPHA, MNAAP, MMA, Minnesota Regional Poison Center, Region 5 PEHSU, SRC and UCare.
- Childhood Blood Lead Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota (PDF)
- Childhood Blood Lead Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota: Reference Manual (PDF)
- Comparison of Childhood Blood Lead Treatment Guidelines, Case Management Guidelines, and Risk Assessment Requirements for Minnesota (PDF)
Childhood blood lead case management guidelines for Minnesota
(June 2001, Revised June 2006, Revised March 2011, Revised December 2017, and January 2025)
The Childhood Blood Lead Case Management Guidelines for Minnesota was first released in 2001 and represent a set of best practice and recommendations for local public health case managers working with children exposed to lead. The 2025 Revision to these guidelines was updated based on changes to MN Statues, research, and feedback from a multi-disciplinary workgroup consisting of health care and public health professionals, professional healthcare associations, and other relevant partners. These guidelines recommend case management for children less than 18 years of age with elevated blood lead levels of 3.5 mcg/dL and above. These case management guidelines include both a two-page summary and a longer reference manual. There is also a comparison document comparing case management guidelines, risk assessment requirements, and treatment guidelines. The guidelines have been reviewed and approved by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Children's Minnesota, ESNDC, HealthPartners/Park Nicollet, LPHA, MNAAP, MMA, Minnesota Regional Poison Center, Region 5 PEHSU, SRC and UCare.
- Childhood Blood Lead Case Management Guidelines for Minnesota (PDF)
- Childhood Blood Lead Case Management Guidelines for Minnesota: Reference Manual (PDF)
- Comparison of Childhood Blood Lead Treatment Guidelines, Case Management Guidelines, and Risk Assessment Requirements for Minnesota (PDF)
Adult Blood Lead Guidelines
Blood lead screening guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding women in Minnesota
(August 2015)
In August 2015, the Minnesota Department of Health updated their “Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Minnesota”. The new guidelines are consistent with the updated Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBLL) definition of 5mcg/dL. They are designed to assist practitioners in screening and treating pregnant and breastfeeding women with elevated blood lead levels. Exposure during pregnancy is of particular concern because lead can be passed to the developing fetus during pregnancy or to the infant during breastfeeding. These guidelines serve to ensure that both women and their children receive proper interventions and treatment to reduce lead exposure. There is a quick reference guide that contains a risk screening questionnaire for pregnant/breastfeeding people, examples of lead-related occupations and industries, and blood lead level actions for pregnant people. There is also full guidelines that contain all the information in the quick reference guide as well as examples of traditional and alternative remedies and products associated with lead contamination, recommended timing of follow-up test for infants based on initial venous or umbilical cord blood lead test results, breast feeding information, and additional information and resources on topics such as nutrition and health effects.
- Quick Reference Guide: Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Minnesota (PDF)
- Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Minnesota - Full Guidelines (PDF)
Draft Adult blood lead clinical treatment guidelines for Minnesota
The Draft adult blood lead clinical treatment guidelines for Minnesota were drafted in December 2000. These draft guidelines provide information about the clinical treatment of adults with lead exposure as well as information about sources of lead. For additional information about treatment of adults with lead exposure, refer to the national advice in the "Recommendations for Medical Management of Adults and Lead Exposure," published by Environmental Health Perspectives in December 2006.
- Draft Adult Blood Lead Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota (PDF) (December 2000)
- Recommendations for Medical Management of Adult Lead Exposure published by Environmental Health Perspectives in December 2006.