Annual elevated lead report 2023

Executive summary

This report summarises findings from the surveillance of cases of elevated blood lead in children (aged 0 to 17 years) and adults over the age of 65 in Wales from 1 January to 31 December 2023, compared with the years 2017 to 2022 (excluding 2020). Carried out by Environmental Public Health (EPH), at Public Health Wales, who support clinicians with managing these cases, it outlines 2023 case data and updates on surveillance activities. Finally, it makes recommendations for next steps.

Results

There was more testing of children in 2023 compared to previous years, and subsequently more cases of elevated blood lead identified. Most tests were conducted in Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, and fewest in Hywel Dda. Positive test rates were highest in Cwm Taf Morgannwg and lowest in Cardiff and Vale. The majority of the tests were for boys (n = 389, 69%), and the largest number of cases were in the two-to-three-year age group (n = 8, 38%). Most of the tests (n = 202, 35.7%) and cases (n =9, 42.8%) were for children from WIMD quintile one; the most deprived. Testing of adults over the age of 65 in 2023 was in line with previous years. Unlike children, more tests were conducted for individuals from WIMD five (least deprived) than WIMD one (most deprived).