The effect of housing compliance status on children's blood lead levels.

In a secondary analysis of data from the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program of Philadelphia (July 1, 1999 through September 1, 2004), the authors evaluated the effect of housing compliance status and time to achieve compliance on changes in children's blood lead levels. Blood lead level changes were not significantly different between children living in compliant housing and those living in noncompliant housing for periods of 1.5 to 2 years, 2 to 3 years, or more than 3 years (-11.01 microg/dL, -9.72 microg/dL, -12.5 microg/dL, -11.57 microg/dL, and -14.31 microg/dL, and -14.61 microL, respectively). In a stratified analysis of children younger than 2 years, the authors also found no association. Neither a house's lead hazard control status nor the time it took to achieve compliance affected long-term changes in children's lead levels. Current compliance programs may be helpful for primary prevention but did not impact change in blood lead for exposed children.