Pursuant to the authority granted to the Allegheny County Health
Department under the Pennsylvania Local Health Administration Law,
16 P.S. §§ 12010(f) and 12011(c), this regulation has
been promulgated to improve the health of the children of Allegheny
County. Universal blood lead level testing will facilitate early detection
and referral for treatment of lead poisoning; will reduce the incidence,
impact and cost of lead poisoning; will inform parents and guardians
of their children's lead exposure; and will enable Countywide
surveillance of childhood lead poisoning. The regulation applies to
all residents and schools of Allegheny County.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BLOOD LEAD LEVEL
A measure of lead in the blood, measured in micrograms of
lead per deciliter of whole blood (µg/dL).
BLOOD LEAD LEVEL TESTING
A blood sample obtained either by venipuncture or finger
stick capillary blood collection from a child not known to be lead
poisoned or to have an elevated blood lead level in order to identify
the child's risk of lead poisoning or elevated blood lead level.
CHILD
A natural person under 72 months of age who is a resident
of Allegheny County.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Allegheny County Health Department.
HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER
An individual who is authorized to practice some component
of the healing arts by a license, permit, certificate or registration
issued by a Pennsylvania licensing agency or board.
RECORD OF BLOOD LEAD LEVEL TESTING
Any written or electronic document acceptable to the Director
showing the date of blood lead level testing, including, but not limited
to, health care practitioner records, school health records, and other
similar documents or history.
The provisions of this chapter are severable. Should any section,
paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter be declared
unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of said
chapter shall not be affected thereby.
The provisions of this chapter shall become effective on January
1, 2018.