Testing for lead poisoning

Every child is at risk.

Bans on leaded paint and gas have reduced the incidence of dangerous lead levels in kids, but many are still at high risk due to contaminated dust from remodeled homes, glazed pottery, stained glass and hundreds of toys and children's jewelry products sold in many local stores.

The costs of inaction are great.

As children's blood levels increase, so do the medical costs. High levels also cause irreversible learning disabilities, ADHD and more. Research shows a relationship between high lead levels and low IQs, which increases the need for special education services, reduces the likelihood of high school graduation and lowers lifetime earnings.

It's the law for Medicaid.

All children in Medicaid must be tested—no exceptions or waivers exist. For a copy of the MDCH Statewide Lead Testing/Screening Plan and a list of high-risk ZIP codes, please visit michigan.gov. Additional resources are available at priorityhealth.com/clinical resources.

 

Childhood Lead Poisoning: Conservative Estimates of the Social and Economic Benefits of Lead Hazard Control, Environmental Health Perspectives, July 2009

Topics: Condition management