Lead Testing

Testing is the only way to know if a child has lead in their blood. Children should be tested at 1 and 2 years of age or if you think your child has been exposed to lead.

Types of Tests

  • Families should contact their children’s healthcare provider for lead testing.
  • There are two types of lead testing. A finger or heel prick (capillary test) is usually done first because it provides fast results. This is considered a screening test and gives your medical provider information to determine what should happen next.
  • If lead is found, a second test (venous test) may be recommended.
  • Concerned about lead? Check out Health Department services and other resources available in Kent County.

Is my child at risk for lead exposure?

Blood Lead Risk Assessment

All children under 6 years old (72 months) should be assessed for risk of lead poisoning using the following questions:

  1. Does the child live in or regularly visit a home built before 1978? (Note: recent or planned renovations can greatly increase risk of lead exposure in homes built before 1978)
  2. Does the child live in or regularly visit a home that had a water test with high lead levels?
  3. Does the child have a brother, sister, or friend that has an elevated blood lead level?
  4. Does the child come in contact with an adult whose job or hobby involves exposure to lead (e.g., smelting, indoor shooting/firing ranges, pottery, stained glass, refinishing old furniture)?
  5. Does the child's caregiver use home remedies (e.g., ba-baw-san, daw tway, greta, azarcon, balguti kesaria, ghasard) or imported spices that may contain lead?
  6. Is the child in a special population group such as foreign adoptee, refugee, migrant, immigrant, or foster child?
  7. Does the child's caregiver have reason to believe the child is at risk for lead exposure (e.g., exhibiting pica behavior, developmental delays)?
If answered YES or DON'T KNOW to any of these questions, lead testing is recommended.

Talk to your child's doctor about lead testing.

Are there Lead Risks in your home?

Kent County Health Department offers a *FREE non-invasive Home Health Screening to help identify potential health hazards in your home.

Home Health Assessment Flyers
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*To qualify, you must be a Kent County resident and either 1) at least one member of the household is pregnant OR 2) at least one member of the household is under the age of 6.

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