The average blood lead levels in children aged 6 to 36 months in the Trail area are as low as they’ve ever been.

Testing showed the rate was 4.0 micrograms per deciliter.

Trail Area Health and Environment Committee chair Mike Martin says the annual average of lead in community air is down as well.

Last year’s air levels were 0.16 micrograms per cubic metre.

Martin says the reduction is largely attributed to the new smelter recycling building at Teck Trail Operations which was completed in 2016.

The committee hopes to bring the average for children’s blood down to 3.5 micrograms per decilitre by 2020.