Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that is found in the Earth’s crust. Lead poisoning is one of the greatest health risks that children face. Ingestion of even very small amounts of lead can cause a variety of severe and irreversible health problems, including decreased muscle and bone growth, speech and language problems, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence. Children under the age of 7 are especially at risk because their brains are still developing.
Lead was used in both interior and exterior paint until 1978. Seventy percent of the housing in St. Joseph County was built before 1978, which puts residents at high risk for lead-based paint hazards. Children can be exposed to lead-based paint that is chipping and cracking or lead-based paint dust. Areas of concern around the home that children may chew or that get a lot of wear and tear include windows, window sills, doors, door frames, stairs, railings, banisters, and porches. Children can also be exposed to lead from contaminated soil, as well as glazed pottery, toys, and cosmetics from other countries.
- Testing for Lead Poisoning (Finger Stick)
The Department of Health provides lead screening to any resident of St. Joseph County under the age of 7. The test consists of a small finger prick to collect a blood sample. The test can be provided at no cost. Insurance is preferred but not required.
Call 574-235-9750 Option 2 to schedule a lead test with our South Bend or Mishawaka immunization clinics.
Healthcare providers must report elevated lead levels to the Indiana State Department of Health (IDOH) through electronic reporting.
- Lead Home Risk Assessments
The St. Joseph County Department of Health conducts free lead risk assessments in the following home environments:
- Children under the age of 7 live, or visit frequently
- Pregnant women reside
- A lead-poisoned child has already been identified
To schedule a lead home risk assessment or to get more information about lead poisoning, contact the Department of Health at (574) 235-9722 or (574) 235-9750, Extension 7923.
- For Families with Young Children
- 5 Things you can do to help lower your child's lead level (English / Spanish)
- Lead Safe Cleaning (English / Spanish)
- Fight Lead Poisoning: Cook Book (English / Spanish)
- Lead Safe Rack Card
- Need assistance? Community Health Worker Resources
- Additional Resources Surrounding Lead
- For the Do-it-Yourselfer
Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program: Do-It-Yourselfers
Although the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule does not apply to homeowners renovating, repairing, or painting their own homes, do-it-yourself projects can easily create dangerous lead dust. Protect your family and home by setting up safely, controlling the dust, and cleaning up completely.
Follow these safeguards to prevent lead dust from spreading throughout your home:
- Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs
Lead Free By 3—Lead Free By 3 is an initiative by the SJCDoH that aims to make children in SJC' lead-free’ by the time they are three years old. This means that we strive for all children to be tested for lead when they turn one and two years old to identify children with elevated lead levels, find sources of lead exposure, and eliminate those hazards so they aren’t continuously exposed.
Pre and Perinatal Lead Program — Lead has damaging effects on babies and can be passed from a mother to an unborn baby during pregnancy. Our Safe at Home program aims to detect and eliminate any lead exposures in the home before the child is born so they will not be exposed to lead once they are born. Contact our Prenatal/Perinatal Lead Program Coordinator at 574-235-9750 Ext. 7964 to learn more about lead and pregnancy.
Home Risk Assessments—The SJCDoH offers free lead risk assessments to SJC residents who are pregnant and/or have children under the age of 7 with or without an elevated lead level who live or frequently visit their homes. Our licensed lead risk assessors identify potential sources of lead exposure in homes and educate families on how to remediate and limit exposure. To schedule a risk assessment, please call 574-235-9750 Ext. 7923 or 574- 235-9582.
Lead Poisoning Prevention Testing Community Health Workers — Our community health workers provide lead screenings for children under the age of 7 at home visits and lead testing events in the community. Community Health Workers frequently test children at preschools, daycares, health fairs, libraries, and other community centers. If you are interested in having the SJCDoH test children for lead at your organization, please contact 574-235-9750 Ext. 7961.
- Information for Clinical Providers
Testing Requirements for Healthcare Providers
Effective January 1, 2023, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1313 requires Indiana healthcare providers to confirm that ALL children under the age of 7 have been tested for lead and, if not, to offer the testing.
1. Children should receive a blood lead test between the ages of 9 months and 15 months or as close as possible to the patient’s appointment.
2. Children should receive a blood lead test between the ages of 21 months and 27 months or as close as possible to the patient’s appointment.
3. Any child between 28 months and 72 months that does not have any record of a blood lead test must have a blood lead test performed as soon as possible.
Indiana statute requires that ALL children enrolled in Medicaid are to receive a blood lead test at 12 and 24 months of age. Any child between 24 and 72 months of age with no record of a previous blood lead test must receive one.
Reporting Requirements for Healthcare Providers
Indiana statute requires that ALL blood lead tests, REGARDLESS OF RESULTS, are to be reported to the Indiana State Department of Health by the entity examining the specimen not later than one week after completing the test.
IDOH can accept blood lead level testing results through HL7 messaging, direct entry into the Lead Data Flow (LDF) database, or the Children and Hoosier Immunization Registry Program (CHIRP).
IDOH can also accept test results through secure fax or secure email, but this method is not recommended as the best option for submitting blood lead level results and should be considered a temporary or short-term option for submitting results. Any provider or lab submitting more than 50 results per year will be required to report electronically.
Clinical Provider Outreach
The SJCDoH has started contacting providers' offices to speak with healthcare providers and their staff about lead poisoning and explain why it is essential to test children for lead. If your office is interested in hearing more about testing requirements, please get in touch with our Lead Program Coordinator, Micaela Enright, at menright@sjcindiana.gov or 574-235-9750 Ext. 7949.