Blood lead levels were determined on 24 mothers during labor and on the blood of their newborn offspring. The mean value for the mother's blood lead was 13.2 µg/100 gm (range 10 to 20) and for the cord blood 12.3 (range 10 to 20) µg/100 gm whole blood. These levels are lower than "normal" blood lead standards usually accepted in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood lead poisoning.