Lead Screening Program

Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health.  No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.  CDC supports primary and secondary lead exposure prevention.  Primary prevention is the removal of lead hazards from the environment before a child is lead exposed.  Secondary prevention includes blood lead testing and follow up care and referral.  A blood test is the best way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead. Children enrolled in Medicaid are required to receive testing for lead at ages 12 and 24 months, or age 24-72 months if they have no record of ever being tested.  Parents should talk with their child’s healthcare provider about whether their child needs to be tested for lead poisoning.

An Environmental Health Specialist completes an investigation in the event of an abnormal blood led level in a child.