Does the 1978 ban on lead-based paint reduce childhood lead poisoning?

An economic analysis is presented on the factors that affect current causes of childhood lead poisoning. The analysis is based on surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ordinary least squares regressions are estimated for blood lead levels (BLL) of children in the entire dataset, as well as a subset including only Medicaid participants. The regression results imply that black race, pre-1978 and pre-1950 housing, participation in the federal Women, Infants, and Children program, and residence in census tracts with higher percentages of female headed households tend to correlate with higher BLLs. In contrast, mixed Hispanic and some other race (white, black, or Asian), participation in Medicaid, and residence in census tracts with higher median household incomes tend to correlate with lower BLLs. A generalized ordered logit model was used to indicate that participation in Medicaid and residence in post-1978 housing reduces childrens risk of elevated BLLs.