Updated: February, 2024

Author: Healthy Homes Program, Vermont Department of Health

This indicator, or population measure, is part of our Healthy Vermonters 2030 data set. Read more about how this data helps us understand and improve the well-being of people in Vermont on the Healthy Vermonters 2030 webpage.

Because this data is meant to show how the health of our state changes during the decade from 2020-2030, some indicators may have very few data points for now. Keep checking back to see the progress our public health system and partners are making.

In 2022, 82% of the 1- and 2-year-olds tested for lead had non-detectable blood lead levels (BLLs). The target over the next decade is to increase the percentage of 1- and 2-year-olds with non-detectable BLLs to 90%. This is an aggressive goal but considering the health effects of lead on children’s health, it’s worth striving for.

Looking for more data?

• See previous data similar to this indicator from our 2020 Scorecards.
• See the corresponding national Healthy People 2030 objective for reducing blood lead levels in children.

Lead poisoning is a serious but preventable health problem. There is no safe level of lead, and testing is the only way to know if a child has been exposed. Vermont requires all 1- and 2-year-olds to be tested.

The most common way children become lead poisoned in Vermont is from lead-based paint and lead dust in older homes. Children who live in poverty are at higher risk for lead poisoning. This indicator, along with data on poverty and age of housing, can be used to target additional outreach efforts. In addition, removing lead hazards from the environment before a child is lead exposed is the most effective way to ensure that children do not experience harmful long-term effects of lead exposure.

The Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law requires owners of residential rental buildings and childcare facilities built before 1978 to perform Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices to help prevent lead poisoning in children.

To prevent children from being exposed to lead, it is necessary to use a multipronged approach. Educating the public and health care providers, developing and supporting healthy homes programs and policies, and increasing the supply of lead-safe housing are all critical activities.

In working towards the goal of preventing childhood lead poisoning, the Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (HHLPPP) will continue educational and outreach activities. Ultimately, the way to decrease the number of children with detectable lead levels is to make Vermont's housing lead-safe and to educate parents about exposure sources so they can protect their children from lead. Vermont has two HUD-funded lead hazard reduction programs. The HHLPPP will continue to work with these strong partners to increase the percentage of lead-safe housing.

The level of detection varies by laboratory. The lowest blood lead level (BLL) detection limit ranges from 1.0µg/dL-3.3µg/dL. Analysis will group all blood lead level data that were non-detected regardless of the specific detection limit at a given laboratory.