Detroit, MI

Facts and Figures

Testing for Lead in Children


This chart shows the number of children in Detroit under age 6 who were tested for lead by year. Detroit's Health Department and others have succeeded in substantially increasing testing over the last year. The percent tested went from 22% to 33% over the last year. This represents a substantial success for the Health Department's efforts to increase screening.


The Extent of Lead Poisoning


This chart shows the number of tested children (under 6) who have a level of lead of 10 ug/dL or higher. This number decreased from 1998 through 2000, but increased in 2001.


Percentage of Tested Children with Lead Poisoning


This chart shows the percentage of children tested who have lead poisoning. The percentage declined from 1998 through 2000, but stabilized over the last year.


Projections of Lead Poisoning


This chart presents an estimate of the children under six who are lead poisoned at 10 ug/dL or above each year. Essentially, one child in 10 under six years old is lead poisoned this year.


The Number of Children with High Levels of Lead Poisoning


This chart shows the number of children in Detroit under six who had lead poisoning of >20 ug/dL. As with the other charts, the number decreased from 1998 through 2000, but increased in 2001.


Severity of Lead Poisoning


This chart shows that Detroit has the largest share of the state's children who are lead poisoned.
Detroit has:

• 67.4% of 10-14 ug/dL
• 69.6% of 15-19 ug/dL
• 65.7% of >20 ug/dL