I perform lead testing and I am aware that the absence of lead above the regulatory threshold (1 milligram of lead per square centimeter) is sometimes interpreted as the absence of lead. It is true that levels below 1 indicate the absence of “Lead based Paint” as defined by regulations, but this is no a health-based standard. Deterioration of paint with lead levels below 1 can create a significant dust lead exposure for young children.

The best way to guard against exposures, whether above or below 1, is to keep everything intact and clean and it seems like that’s the case here. Also, I checked Mr. Martin’s quals on the ACT website and he seemes well qualified to judge whether exposure potential existed.

My final words on the subject (and I hope Kellie may consider a link to the CDC web site for the accepted standard of care for lead screening).

1.A finger stick needle is .46mm in length.

2.A needle for lateral thigh vaccines is 1-1.25 inches in length–hopefully people don’t skip vaccines due to needle size.

3.A screening lead level test costs under ten dollars.
As you are aware, people who can least afford medical care are often the most vulnerable when it comes to lead exposure.

I am unsure what you paid to have your home screened, but my guess is it is not feasible for an uninsured urban population.

4.And lastly, you are somewhat incorrect in your saying nothing will be done for a two year old with elevated lead levels.

There is concern that iron deficiency anemia ( a very common problem in small children) may increase lead levels in those at higher risk.
Therefore,iron supplementation is recommended.
But again, the only way to know this is with a ferritin level, a blood test.

First, the term “giant Needle” comes as a matter of perspective from the child’s point of view and allow me to illustrate: if we use say a 2 inch “butterfly” needle to do the venous draw on a 24 inch child, that would be 1/12 the body size. Now let’s use the same proportions to an adult. If the adult is 72 inches tall then the needle would be 6 inches. One might call that a “giant needle”. Again, it is a matter of perspective.

Secondly, you are correct in quoting the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control for recommendations for lead levels. But, that was the easy part.

Thirdly, the neighborhood was built prior to 1978 and around the same time as you surmised. But then we have to know the “history of lead paint”, where it was used, and why.

Now to answer you final query:
I would ask you to contact Act Environmental and ask for William F. Martin, Certified Industrial Hygienist, EPA Certified Risk Assessor, AZ-R-687-2 at 520-791-9062 who can answer all your questions regarding:
(and these are your questions)
Have the accuracy and precision of the methods been verified? Are the machines calibrated? Is quality control in place?
What are the standards for positive and negative tests?
How were these determined?
What is the incidence of false positive and false negative testsing?

Let me add, that I would always seek the advice of medical professionals prior to making any decisions concerning “my child”. I would also research and investigate the most current information from the EPA as well as the CDC and AAP and currently published studies in various medical journals.

As an end note, what happens if lead is found in the child under 2 years of age and what is done?

Exactly! Nothing!!

Now consider the half life of lead in a 2 year old? 36 days, 180 days to clear.

Next, the parents must find the source of contamination and establish a course of action.

[Check the EPA.gov website for guidelines and recommendations. Check who the EPA lists in Tucson for consultations.]

Next the primary residence is tested for lead (Pb mg/cm^2) and should the home comes up positive for lead, two things might happen.

Assessment-abatement or move.

Turns out, the same company may NOT assist in both per the EPA guidelines.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a government Trained and certified Technician come and check the home and grounds for lead? Should they find nothing, they issue a clean bill of health along with a Certificate From the United States Environmental Protection Agency!!

Now say we wish to sell this house in a few years, and the prospective buyers have children…..

Thanks for your comments!!

First, the “giant needle” is a finger stick; only if the initial screening finger stick sample is abnormal is a blood lead level necessary.
And that is drawn via a very small butterfly needle.

Second, the real recommendations by the CDC and AAP in regards to lead level are (in part):
children who live in or regularly visit a house or apartment built before 1950, or before 1978 if the dwelling has been/or is undergoing renovation or remodeling.
(The complete lead guidelines are available on the CDC web site.)

Third, it is probably safe to assume the entire neighorhood was built around the same time, ie prior to 1978.
Children spending a considerable amount of time in other neighborhood houses may also have an increased risk of lead exposure.
Is your friend going to pay for all of the neighborhood homes to be lead tested as well?

And lastly, it is a huge gamble to place your child’s health in “an environmental company with some machine”.
Have the accuracy and precision of the methods been verified? Are the machines calibrated? Is quality control in place?
What are the standards for positive and negative tests?
How were these determined?
What is the incidence of false positive and false negative testsing?

A certified reputable reference or hospital lab deals with every one of these issues.
And there is voluminous peer reviewed scientific literature on interpretation, complications, and management of abnormal blood levels.
I am unaware of published studies using Act Environmental levels as a surrogate marker for blood lead testing.

I think the intentions were good, but the science is lacking.

Probably would have been better to test the child if the home has been remodeled or if the child spends considerable amount of time at neighborhood houses that meet the above criteria.

Maybe the resource you should be passing along is the CDC website.