Vermont has made steady progress in reducing the number of children with blood lead levels at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). From 2006 through 2019, the percentage of 1- and 2-year olds with blood lead levels greater than or equal to 5 µg/dL declined (1-year olds from 19.4% to 4.2%, and 2-year olds from 22.5% to 3.9%). There were 355 children ages 1 and 2 who had a blood lead level greater than or equal to 5 µg/dL, similar to 362 in 2018. In total, 427 children under the age of 6 had a blood lead level greater than or equal to 5 µg/dL in 2019, similar to 420 in 2018.
Vermont is in the process of updating the Blood Lead Testing, Reporting and Response Rule and lower its definition of an elevated blood lead result from 5 µg/dL to any reported level. Research highlights that there is no safe level of lead and levels at and below 5 µg/dL still impair development. Therefore, any level of lead in the blood is considered elevated.