Department:
People We Serve:
Programs & Initiatives:
Share
Print
RSSRequest Blood Lead Screening
The Chicago Department of Public Health has several phlebotomists who will come onsite to daycare centers, Headstart, faith-based and community organizations, clinics, and health fairs for free lead blood screening. Children ages six months to six years can be tested with written parental consent. After the screening takes place, the lab results are sent to the child’s parents/guardians for their records. If the lead blood level comes back higher than normal, a home inspection can be conducted to determine the source of lead. Any health care professional interested in setting up an appointment to schedule a lead blood screening, call (312) 746-9506.
If lead gets into your body, it acts as a toxin, and when a person has too much lead in their body they are said to be lead poisoned. Children, under the age of six, are the most likely to become lead poisoned. Typically, the old lead-based paint in homes causes these children to become poisoned by eating or breathing dust that is contaminated with lead. While a child can become poisoned from eating paint chips, most children are poisoned simply from touching the dust and then putting their hands in their mouths. Blood lead testing usually takes a few minutes, and can be performed at a clinic or doctor’s office. A sample of blood will be taken and sent to a lab for testing. Any lead blood level above 10 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) is very harmful to the child’s health, leaving the child vulnerable to develop serious mental and behavioral problems.
Department Main Office
Public Health
