Health Department Offering Free Lead Testing for Children

According to a release by , the nonprofit organization hosted the last month to raise awareness of the county's lead poisoning prevention program and to test area children for exposure.

"Children who have it don't act sick. When kids eat it, it actually tastes sweet," said Public Health Nurse Betty Weiss. Weiss was referring to lead poisoning caused by old, chipping paint – a condition so rampant in our community that out of 500 children tested last year by the county's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 87 came back with positive results.  

In response to this issue, ACLAMO has partnered with the Montgomery County Health Department by holding yearly free testing for lead poisoning. On March 14, graduate nursing student Tonya Sims joined Public Health Nurses Pat DeHorsey and Betty Weiss at ACLAMO to administer the tests. Seventeen children, ages 3 to 5, received the blood tests.

"I want to make sure my Romaro is healthy" said one mother. "I'm glad I can come to ACLAMO and have this done."

"The problem with lead poison is that it can affect children's education," said DeHorsey. "The good news is that once detected, it can be treated."  

When possible, treatment for lead poisoning begins with removing the sources of lead. Balanced nutrition may also help. These measures are usually sufficient to limit exposure to lead and reduce lead levels in the body.

Paint chips and dirt are the most common sources of lead in the home. Most houses built before 1978 had been coated with lead-based paint. There have also been incidences of lead-containing paint on toys and furniture manufactured overseas.  

In addition to testing children 6 months to 6 years of age, the Montgomery County Department of Health recommends the following lead poisoning prevention tips:

• Provide your child with a nutritious diet;
• Clean the house with a damp mop to minimize dust;
• Encourage frequent hand washing and;
• Discourage your child from ingesting nonfood substances.

Children who test positive for lead poisoning should be retested after taking the appropriate preventative measures and if levels remains high, contact the local health department to conduct a home visit to try and find the source of lead contamination.

The Montgomery County Department of Health offers free lead testing for county children ages 6 months to 7 years old at the Montgomery County Human Services Center, 1430 DeKalb Street. Call 610-278-5145 for an appointment. Universal screening for lead poisoning is recommended for all children at age one and two, regardless of their risk.

For more information, call 1-800-424-LEAD, or contact the Montgomery County Department of Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) at 610-970-5040.