A survey to determine blood lead levels (BLL) amongst primary school children was carried out in 8 schools randomly selected from each of the 8 divisions of the Nairobi City Council. A total of 475 pupils aged 6 to 17 years were recruited into the study which was carried out during the month of May and June 1996. The students were interviewed to determine their age, gender, their residence and the schools they were attending and their class performance. Each pupil's height and weight was determined and so were the presence of pallor, oedema and gingival line looked for. Blood was drawn from each pupil and blood lead levels determined by the use of atomic absorption spectrometry.