Introduction: Prevalence surveys conducted in geographically small areas such as towns, zip codes, neighborhoods or census tracts are a valuable tool for estimating the extent to which environmental risks contribute to children's blood lead levels (BLLs). Population-based, cross-sectional small area prevalence surveys assessing BLLs can be used to establish a baseline lead exposure prevalence for a specific geographic region.
Materials and methods: The required statistical methods, biological and environmental sampling, supportive data, and fieldwork considerations necessary for public health organizations to rapidly conduct child blood lead prevalence surveys at low cost using small area, cluster sampling methodology are described.
Results: Comprehensive small area prevalence surveys include partner identification, background data collection, review of the assessment area, resource availability determinations, sample size calculations, obtaining the consent of survey participants, survey administration, blood lead analysis, environmental sampling, educational outreach, follow-up and referral, data entry/analysis, and report production.
Discussion: Survey results can be used to estimate the geographic distribution of elevated BLLs and to investigate inequitable lead exposures and risk factors of interest.
Conclusions: Public health officials who wish to assess child and household-level blood lead data can quickly apply the data collection methodologies using this standardized protocol here to target resources and obtain assistance with these complex procedures. The standardized methods allow for comparisons across geographic areas and over time.
Keywords: blood lead levels; children; cluster sampling; environmental health; lead exposure; small area prevalence surveys; surveillance.