Greater than 85% of children raised in the 1970s had blood lead (BPb) levels ≥10 μg/dL, the level currently defining childhood Pb poisoning. After accumulation in bone, release of skeletal Pb to blood occurs, particularly when the kinetic rates of bone turnover are elevated, such as during pregnancy. We examined a group of childbearing-aged urban African-American and Hispanic women to determine whether they had measurable bone Pb. Methods: Tibial bone Pb content was assessed by L-line X-ray fluorescence (LXRF). This is a noninvasive, low dose radiation technique that measures cortical bone Pb. Other measures included age, years in New York City (NYC), BPb and a home Pb assessment employing KXRF methodology.Results: A convenience sample of 35 women were enrolled. The mean(± sd) age was 28±8 years. Their average time living in New York City was 19±11 years. Mean BPb was 5±6 μg/dL; 5 women had BPb≥ 10 μg/dL. Pb was detected on some surfaces in all the homes and on many surfaces in some homes. Bone Pb was detectable by LXRF in 6 of the 35 women, only two of whom had a BPb ≥10 μg/dL. There was no significant correlation between bone Pb and BPb, or age, home Pb or years in NYC.Conclusion: Bone Pb levels may be elevated in a substantial number of urban minority women of childbearing age. Few of these women would be identified by BPb screening. The risks to the developing fetuses from maternal bone Pb stores deserves further investigation.