Testing for Blood Lead Poisoning

Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal used in various products and materials. Exposure to lead, even in small amounts, can affect multiple body systems and be particularly harmful to young children.⁵

Lead exposure occurs when someone inhales lead-containing dust or swallows something that contains lead. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the primary sources of exposure for U.S. children. Despite significant progress, lead poisoning remains a top childhood environmental health problem.⁶

No level of lead in the blood can be defined as safe. An advisory panel of the CDC now recommends that children with blood levels as low as 3.5 μg/dL be identified as having elevated levels and be monitored. Even such low levels may harm a child’s cardiovascular, immunological, and endocrine health, with consequences for that individual and overall public health. While the effects of lead appear to be irreversible, eliminating lead exposure can reduce further damage.⁷

Toddlers and young children explore with their hands and frequently put them in their mouths. As young children crawl on the floor and reach windows, railings, and walls, they may inhale dust from peeling and chipping lead-based paint or ingest paint chips. Children under six years of age are biologically more sensitive to lead due to rapid brain and organ development, when the body readily takes up lead—mistaking it for calcium. Therefore, children who are low in calcium or have iron-deficient anemia may have an ever-greater lead uptake.⁸

Adults can become lead poisoned, most frequently from the workplace and hobbies. Lead in adults can affect the central nervous and gastrointestinal systems and can cause chronic kidney disease as well as other health problems.⁹

Lead exposure is diagnosed through blood lead testing, which measures the amount of lead in the bloodstream. A small blood sample is taken from the finger, heel, or arm. The results indicate the level of lead in the blood, typically measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). In the United States, federal law requires all Medicaid-enrolled children to be tested at ages 1 and 2 and up to the age of 6 if they have not been tested previously. Beyond this federal requirement, state mandates and guidelines vary. High-risk children, such as those living in older homes or those with a history of pica (eating non-food items), may need more frequent testing.¹⁰

If your blood lead level is elevated, several actions may be taken depending on the severity of the exposure and your individual health status. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations closely if you have an elevated blood lead level to protect your health and prevent potential long-term complications associated with lead poisoning.¹¹

• Medical Evaluation: Your healthcare provider will likely conduct further tests and assessments to confirm the elevated blood lead level and evaluate any symptoms or health effects.
• Identifying the Source of Exposure: It’s crucial to identify and eliminate the source of lead exposure. This may involve testing your home, workplace, or other environments where you spend time to pinpoint sources of lead contamination.
• Monitoring: You may require regular blood lead testing to monitor your levels over time and assess the effectiveness of interventions to reduce exposure.
• Treatment if Necessary: In some cases of high blood lead levels or symptoms of lead poisoning, treatments such as chelation therapy may be considered under medical supervision. Chelation therapy involves medications that bind to lead and help remove it from the body.
• Health Management: Your healthcare provider may recommend dietary changes or supplements that can help support overall health and reduce the absorption of lead in your body.