The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that universal childhood blood lead testing will begin Wednesday, expanding testing to all children statewide.
Under the new policy, blood lead tests will be conducted automatically at 12 and 24 months of age. Healthcare providers will also be required to assess all children six years old and younger for lead exposure using a questionnaire.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, this change is the result of a years-long effort to increase the number of children tested for lead exposure. Officials say that early testing allows for earlier intervention and better outcomes for affected children.
“There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in a news release. “Through our Childhood Lead Program, IDPH has identified thousands of children who have been exposed to lead, allowing for early intervention to address negative health effects and implementation of efforts to limit further exposure. With this move to universal childhood blood lead testing, IDPH is taking another step towards protecting the health and safety of Illinois’ youngest residents.”
If a child’s blood test shows lead levels greater than 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, a public health intervention will be triggered. A health inspector will investigate to find the source of lead contamination, and if it is found in the home, work with the resident to remove it. A public health nurse will also educate the family on ways to protect children from further lead exposure.
Lead exposure can cause developmental, behavioral, and learning difficulties. More information about lead exposure is available on the IDPH website.