Lead Related Definitions and Associated Formulas ANIMATED FORMULAS: This link shows formulas used to calculate rates with examples. LEAD VARIABLE LIST: This link lists all available variables in the lead module. STATISTICAL TERMS Percent by Row or Column: The number of cases in each row or column divided over the total number of cases of that row or column multiplied by 100. MODULE INFORMATION Race: Race of the Child is only broken down into four categories due to data limitations. The four categories are White, Black, Other and Unknown. Age: Age of the Child at testing. The ages of the cases have been aggregated to the monthly categories as seen in the module. Residence Data: Data allocated to the place in South Carolina where the person normally resided, regardless of where the event occurred. Test Type: There are two different types of test that are done to obtain blood lead levels. Venipunture is one method where blood is drawn subcutaneously with the use of a hypodermic needle. A Finger prick is the other method where a small amount of blood is drawn from the finger by pricking it with a sharp instrument. Sometimes the type of test used is not recorded and hence there is a unknown or missing category. Blood Lead Level: The blood lead level is measured in ug/dL, which stands for micrograms per deciliter. This measurement is done by a technician and is then reported back to the childhood lead poisoning prevention program. These levels have been aggregated to the categories as seen on the module. Levels greater than 20 require a visit from an environmental health inspector. >= 10 ug/dl is the level of concern specified by the CDC for Childhood Lead Poisoning. >= 20 ug/dl is the action level specified by the CDC for environmental site investigation. (Note: An environmental site inspection must also be done if there is a case where 2 blood level tests result in levels between 15 and 19 ug/dl (inclusive) on samples taken at least 3 months apart.) Return to the Top