Hawai'i has one of the country's lowest rates of elevated blood lead levels in children, state health officials say.

Federal figures show 10,305 children in Hawai'i were tested for elevated blood lead levels in 2004, the latest year for which figures were available, and higher-than-acceptable levels were found in just 39 of the children, or 0.38 percent.

The common definition of "elevated" is 10 or more micrograms per deciliter of blood.

The figures, from the National Center for Environmental Health, show that 20 of the affected children had 10-14 micrograms per deciliter of blood, the lowest category for concern.

Health effects associated with lead ingestion can include learning disabilities, reduced attention spans, hyperactivity, impaired growth and behavioral issues, said state health director Chiyome Fukino.

So earlier this month, the state Department of Health and the state Department of Human Services began a two-year program to look for unsafe levels of lead in tap water at all licensed childcare and preschool facilities in Hawai'i, including those in private homes.

There are approximately 1,200 licensed daycare facilities in Hawai'i, including roughly 550 operating in private homes, state health officials said.

Those with unsafe lead levels will have to immediately correct the problem by installing filters, replacing plumbing fixtures or switching to bottled water.

A leading source of lead poisoning — lead paint — was never manufactured in the Islands, officials say.

The federally funded testing program is expected to cost $569,000 and will be conducted through Honolulu-based AMEC Earth & Environmental Inc.

Childcare facilities will not be charged for the water analysis. However, they will be responsible for any remedial actions that are needed.

Parents will be notified before the testing and will get the results.

"Even though water delivered from the public water systems meets federal and state standards, there is a risk of lead leaching into tap water when pipes are joined by lead solder in older buildings, or from the water fixtures in use," Fukino said.

Human Services Director Lillian Koller said the majority of childcare facilities are believed to have safe tap water.

Last year, the Health Department's Maternal and Child Health Branch completed a guide for healthcare providers called "Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Guidelines."

It includes recommendations for lead screening, assessment and medical management, and includes a list of state resources.

The guide was sent to physicians and other healthcare providers statewide and is available at the Maternal and Child Health Branch.