What whole-blood lead level indicates excessive exposure in children?

The correct choice for indicating excessive lead exposure in children is a whole-blood lead level of 14 µg/dL. In public health guidelines, a blood lead level of 5 µg/dL or higher is often considered concerning, as it may signify an increased risk for adverse health effects, particularly for young children who are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead.

A blood lead level of 14 µg/dL is well above this threshold and indicates significant worry regarding possible lead poisoning in a child. At this level, further evaluation and intervention are typically recommended to assess the source of lead exposure and to implement measures to reduce the child's blood lead level.

Whole-blood lead levels above 10 µg/dL are especially critical in guiding healthcare professionals to act swiftly in protecting the affected child. Higher values such as 28 µg/dL and 32 µg/dL represent even more severe conditions, but for determining the initial threshold for excessive exposure, 14 µg/dL is the most recognized cutoff that necessitates immediate attention.