Lead Exposure Testing

When a child under the age of 6 tests positive for a confirmed lead exposure at 5 µg/dl or above, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) will offer to conduct a lead exposure inspection.

We also offer other resources for children who have a confirmed positive test for lead, but are below the 5 µg/dl threshold.

Testing for Lead Exposure in Children Is Important

Lead in the human body can have many negative effects. Children under the age of six are the most vulnerable to those effects. Even at low levels in the blood, lead can cause:

  • Behavior and learning problems
  • Lower IQ and hyperactivity
  • Slowed growth
  • Hearing problems
  • Anemia

Please see ACHD’s Lead Exposure Prevention page for more information about lead and how to protect your family.

Universal Blood Lead Level Testing

ACHD regulations now require that all children at approximately 9-12 months have their blood lead level tested. Children are tested again at approximately 24 months (2 years) of age.

If for any reason a child has not been tested by 24 months, they should be tested as soon as possible after 24 months, but before the age of 6 or prior to entering kindergarten, which ever happens first.

This requirement is mandated by our Universal Blood Lead Level Testing Regulation (Article XXIII)(PDF, 644KB).

If you have questions about the regulation, please check out our Universal Blood Level Testing Regulation Frequently Asked Questions.(PDF, 770KB)

Parents should request the testing from their child’s pediatric provider.

Home Lead Inspections

For children under 6 years of age with a confirmed blood lead level of 5 µg/dl and above, ACHD offers a free home inspection. The goal of this inspection is to help identify any sources of lead exposure in the home.

We test painted surfaces for the presence of lead and take water, dust, and soil samples for laboratory analysis. We provide a full report that includes test and sample results, advice, and recommendations.

As part of the inspection, we offer families information about:

  • Sources of lead in the home and how they can be avoided
  • How routine wet dusting/mopping and cleaning can help limit lead exposure
  • The importance of good handwashing practices to avoid ingesting lead dust
  • The role a healthy diet plays in reducing a child’s blood lead level

Sometimes a child will test positive for lead, but their levels will not be high enough for us to conduct a full inspection. For children under 6 years of age with a confirmed blood lead level 1 µg/dl to 4 µg/dl, we encourage the family to call the Housing and Community Environment Program at 412-350-4046 for education, referrals, and advice on how to lessen their child’s exposure to lead.

We encourage anyone with questions or concerns about lead in the home to call ACHD’s Housing and Community Environment program at 412-350-4046. We can provide educational literature and advice over the phone about how to reduce the risk of lead exposure.

Additional Lead Exposure Inspection Resources

The Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program from Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) provides free home repairs to help keep families safe from exposure to lead paint.

To be eligible, families must:

  • Be homeowners or renters in Allegheny County
  • Live in a home built before 1978
  • Have a child under 6 who lives in or regularly visits the home, or a pregnant woman who lives in the home
  • Meet applicable income limits

The program provides the following services free of charge to eligible families:

  • Lead paint testing throughout your home
  • Home repairs to address all lead hazards
  • Lead safety education

Call Action Housing at 412-227-5700 to see if you qualify and sign up! You can also visit the Lead-Safe Homes Program page for more information.

The EPA’s National Lead Information Center Hotline (NLIC) provides the general public and professionals with information about lead, lead hazards, and preventing lead exposure. For more information, call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

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