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These guidelines provide a resource document for public health officers who are involved in the investigation and management of people who have been exposed to lead (from non-occupational sources).
Lead absorption is a condition which is notifiable to the Medical Officer of Health under the Health Act 1956. The levels of blood lead which are required to be notified in New Zealand are ‘lead absorption equal to or in excess of 0.24 micromoles per litre (µmol/l)’ or 5 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dl).
While the guidelines are applicable for any age, there is an emphasis on measures for managing cases of lead-exposed children.
The guidelines assist public health officers to identify all contributory lead hazards and (open) exposure pathways using a combination of interview, visual observation, and laboratory testing. A management plan, typically incorporating both behavioural (educational) and environmental (abatement) strategies, can then be developed in consultation with the family. It must be emphasised that the guidelines aim to provide a ‘lead-safe’ environment; this is not the same as a lead-free environment.
In 2021 the guidelines were revised to incorporate the reduction in the notifiable lead absorption level in the Health Act 1956, which was reduced from 0.48 (or greater) micromoles per litre (µmol/l) to 0.24 (or greater) µmol/l. An updated graded response protocol was included at the time which provided recommendations on appropriate responses to the results of the most recent blood tests from affected persons. Such recommendations are based on international and national standards, but for all individual cases public health officers should also be guided by the medical practitioner.
Properly applied, the guidelines help with determining:
These guidelines exclude places of work, and ambient (outside) air.
Originally published in 1998 and revised in 2007, 2013, 2021, and 2024. The 2026 revisions are minor and administrative only. They include the updated WorkSafe notification form in Appendix 4. This form is to be used when medical officers of health notify WorkSafe of work-related notifiable diseases or hazardous substances injuries under section 199 of the Health and Safety and Work Act 2015. Links to other publications have also been updated.