Figure 2-34. Average State rates of elevated BLLs per 100,000 employed workers, 1998-2001: (A) 25 µg/dL or greater, and (B) 40 µg/dL or greater.During 1998-2001, the mean State rates for adults with BLLs of 25 µg/dL or greater ranged from 2.6 to 40.9 per 100,000 employed workers. Among the reporting States, those with the highest rates included Pennsylvania (40.9), New Hampshire (28.4), and Alabama (27.5). The lowest rate was reported by Arizona (2.6). State rates may truly reflect the magnitude of the lead exposure problem, but they may be biased because of varying degrees of completeness of blood lead testing carried out by employers among the States.
(Sources: NIOSH [2002c]; CDC [2002d].)During 1998-2001, the mean State rates for adults with BLLs of 40 µg/dL or greater ranged from 0.4 to 8.8 per 100,000 employed workers. Among the reporting States, those with the highest rates included Alabama (8.8), New Hampshire (7.5), and North Carolina (7.0). The lowest rate was reported by Arizona (0.4). (Note: Nebraska provided 2 years of data, and South Carolina provided 3 years. All other States provided 4 years of data for this figure.)
(Sources: NIOSH [2002c]; CDC [2002d].)
