Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can have lasting intellectual and behavioral effects on children, as well as many other health impacts on adults. That is why the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDH) is encouraging parents to get their children’s blood lead levels tested.

“Lead is not natural to the human body and even low levels in children have a lasting impact. The only way to identify exposure is by testing the blood,” said Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “That is why as a pediatrician, I urge all families to have their children tested for lead exposure, per CDC recommendations. Early identification can prevent the most serious effects, so all children can reach their full potential.”

In Pennsylvania, by far the most common source of lead exposure among children is from lead-based paint in homes built before 1978. Over time, lead paint transforms into dust that can poison children and adults when they swallow or breathe it in. Other less common sources of exposure include toys, ceramics, and other consumer products, and drinking water when it flows through older lead plumbing or pipes where lead solder has been used.

Earlier this year, PDH published its sixteenth annual Childhood Lead Surveillance Annual Report, which includes data through 2021. In 2021, 156,018 children under 72 months of age were tested for lead exposure, and 4,850 (3.1 percent), were confirmed to have elevated blood lead levels.

PDH provides resources to families to prevent and address elevated blood lead levels.

Through the federally funded Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), PDH works collaboratively with six local county and municipal health departments in Allegheny, Chester, Montgomery, Luzerne, Lehigh, and York counties to reduce lead exposure and promote childhood lead poisoning prevention.

Local partners invest CLPPP funding to implement strategies to ensure blood lead testing and reporting, enhance blood lead surveillance, and improve access to services for lead-exposed children.

PDH maintains a toll-free lead information hotline (1-800-440-LEAD) to provide information about lead poisoning prevention, testing, follow-up, and local resources.