Testing All Children

No safe level of lead in children’s blood has been identified. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not use the term “elevated blood lead levels” when recommending what actions to take based on a child’s blood lead level (BLL).

CDC encourages healthcare providers, public health professionals, and others to follow CDC’s recommended actions based on blood lead level when initiating follow-up actions and case management for children with lead in their blood Health Effects of Childhood Lead Exposure.

Blood Lead Reference Value
• Beginning in 2012, CDC began using a population-based blood lead reference value (BLRV) to identify children with higher levels in their level compared to most children.
This reference level is based on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead values among U.S. children ages 1–5 years, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

View PDF CDC Terminology Discussing Blood Lead Levels

• Contact the County Health Department: Call the Elkhart County Health Department (ECHD) to inquire about their free lead screening program for children.

• Talk to Your Pediatrician: Your child's doctor (like at Heart City Health) can provide or order the test, as Indiana law requires providers to check if kids under 6 have been tested.

• Medicaid Requirements: All Medicaid-enrolled children are required to be tested at 12 and 24 months, and any child 3-6 with no prior test must also be screened. 

Testing Method

• A nurse uses a simple finger-stick to get a small blood sample for the test, which is quick and easy. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, House Enrolled Act 1313 requires that all Indiana healthcare providers determine whether children under age 6 have been tested for lead poisoning and to offer the screening. Testing is recommended at a child’s 1- and 2-year check-ups but can be done at any time if a child aged 3-6 hasn’t been previously tested. If lead testing is unavailable at your local health department at this time, contact your healthcare provider about getting your child tested.

Click Here to find your local health department.