How to Find Out if You or Your Children are Lead-Poisoned?

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The only way to tell if a person is lead-poisoned is to get a blood lead test.

All Iowa children under the age of six years should be tested regularly for lead poisoning.

Children enrolled in Medicaid are required to be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2 (minimum). Iowa Code requires that all children have at least one lead test before starting kindergarten. Ask your health care provider to do a blood lead test whenever your child has a check-up.

Many children have normal blood lead levels at 6-12 months of age. However, these same children may become lead-poisoned when they are older and more active. It’s important to get their blood lead tested at least once a year until they are 6 years old.

If you work with lead on the job, your employer may be required to provide blood lead testing or you may ask your family doctor to order a blood lead test. Consider getting tested if you have recently remodeled or removed paint in an older home. See the IDPH Adult Lead website for more information at XXXX.