Lead is a poison that affects nearly every system in the body, including the brain and nervous system. Since 2017, more than 6,000 children in all corners of Allegheny County have been identified for having elevated levels of lead in their blood. This puts them at risk of slowed growth and development, behavior problems, and more.
While there is no safe level of lead exposure, CDC updated the blood lead reference value from 5.0 μg/dL to 3.5 μg/dL in 2021. In making this update, children with elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) can now receive prompt actions to mitigate health effects and remove or control exposure sources.
Contact your pediatrician. The Allegheny County Health Department requires lead testing for all children at 9-12 months and again at 24 months. The test can be conducted in the pediatrician’s office during your regularly scheduled well visit.
My child has tested with an elevated blood lead level of ≥ 3.5 μg/dL. Now what?
1. Your child’s lab results are sent to the Pennsylvania National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and they alert the Allegheny County Health Department.
2. The Allegheny County Health Department will offer you a FREE in-home Environmental Lead Investigation to identify the source.
Allegheny County Environmental Lead Investigation Program
Jenn Saks explains Allegheny County Health Department’s FREE in-home Environmental Lead Investigation program. Learn more and check your renter eligibility →
BEcon Lead Paint Inspection Services
Billie and Eric from BEcon Lead Pain Inspection Services explain what happens during a lead investigation.
3. The FREE in-home Environmental Lead Investigation will arrive to you and your landlord. Your landlord is responsible for working with a lead certified contractor to remediate the source of lead exposure.
Lead-Safe Contractor
Learn about lead abatement and what to expect during renovations.
4. If your landlord can’t afford to make the repairs, you may qualify for the Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program, which will hire a lead-safe certified contractor to remediate the lead paint and soil. Learn more at alleghenycounty.us/leadsafe.
5. If your landlord does not remediate the source, Community Justice Project can help.
Community Justice Project
Dan Vitek explains how Community Justice Project can help when a landlord does not remediate the source of lead in a rental property.
6. If your child is under 3 years old, a referral to early intervention services through the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers will be recommended.
Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
Karin Shafer explains the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers.
7. Lead safe cleaning is one of the best things you can do once you learn that your child has an elevated lead level. Wet clean floors and areas around windows and doors, using disposable wipes or cloths. Vacuums with HEPA filters are good for cleaning carpets and trapping lead-dust.
Lead Safety in Allegheny County
Lead is a neurotoxin commonly found in our daily lives. Over the last several decades, the United States has taken many steps to reduce the sources of lead exposure in our environment.
8. During well-child visits, talk with your pediatrician. Check on your child’s development of age-appropriate milestones and implement nutrition with a focus on iron and calcium intake.
9. Conduct follow-up blood lead testing at recommended intervals based on your child’s age.
10. Speak up: Contact your local elected leaders and urge them to take action on lead poisoning.
Clean Water Action
Curtis Da’Von from Clean Water Action shares how you can take action about lead exposure.
1. Your child’s lab results are sent to the Pennsylvania National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and they alert the Allegheny County Health Department.
2. The Allegheny County Health Department will offer you a FREE in-home Environmental Lead Investigation to identify the source.
Allegheny County Environmental Lead Investigation Program
Jenn Saks explains Allegheny County Health Department’s FREE in-home Environmental Lead Investigation program. Learn more and check your homeowner eligibility →
BEcon Lead Paint Inspection Services
Billie and Eric from BEcon Lead Pain Inspection Services explain what happens during a lead investigation.
3. If your child is under 3 years old, a referral to early intervention services through the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers will be recommended.
Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
Karin Shafer explains the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers.
4. You will receive the results of your FREE in-home Environmental Lead Investigation, which will summarize where lead-paint and soil were found in your home. Making the repairs without using lead-safe methods could make exposure worse, so it’s important to hire a certified contractor or follow the safety measures if you are doing the work yourself. Check out this guide from the EPA on what steps to take.
Lead-Safe Contractor
Learn about lead abatement and what to expect during renovations.
5. If you can’t afford to make the repairs needed, you could qualify for the Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program, which will hire a lead-safe certified contractor at no cost to you to remediate the lead paint and soil. Learn more at alleghenycounty.us/leadsafe.
6. During well-child visits, talk with your pediatrician. Check on your child’s development of age-appropriate milestones and implement nutrition with a focus on iron and calcium intake.
7. Conduct follow-up blood lead testing at recommended intervals based on your child’s age.
8. Speak up: Contact your local elected leaders and urge them to take action on lead poisoning.
Clean Water Action
Curtis Da’Von from Clean Water Action shares how you can take action about lead exposure.
