Abstract
The results of the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program for the period October through December 1995 were reported. ABLES monitors elevated blood lead (7439921) levels in adults and is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. During the fourth quarter of 1995, blood lead levels (BLLs) greater than or equal to 25 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl) were reported in 6,553 adults, an decrease of 4% from the fourth quarter of 1994. The number of adults having BLLs between 25 and 39microg/dl increased 1% from 1994 figures. Reports of BLLs of 40 to 49microg/dl, 50 to 59microg/dl, and 60microg/dl and above decreased 15%, 27%, and 10%, respectively, compared to the 1994 fourth quarter figures. Cumulative reports for all of 1995 of BLLs equal to or greater than 25 microg/dl decreased 10% from 1994 figures. The total number of BLLs reported decreased from 26,832 in 1994 to 24,271 in 1995. The percentage of total reported BLLs at the 60microg/dl and above range held at 2% for the third consecutive year.
