Childhood Lead Screening

Free Lead Screening Appointments - Call 309-679-6076

Contact your child’s doctor or call the Peoria City/County Health Department at 309-679-6076 to schedule a lead screening. Children should be tested for lead poisoning at 9 - 12 months of age, again at 18 - 24 months of age, and some other at-risk children up to 6 years of age. Lead screening tests for children are currently free at the Peoria City/County Health Department.

Let Elmo Help You Learn About Lead

Lead is a kind of metal that can be found in some common items. If lead gets into the body, it can make people sick, especially young children whose bodies are growing. When lead gets into the body, it is called lead poisoning. Learning about lead can help your whole family stay healthy. Lead might not be something you can easily see, but everyone in your family can work together to keep the lead away.

Lead Poisoning

• Lead is a heavy metal that does not degrade over time.
• There are no benefits to having lead in the human body.
• A normal lead level is 0.
• In Peoria County 1 in 20 children tested have a high lead level; that number is several times the national average.
• The amount of lead needed to poison our system is 1/100 of a sugar packet.
• Lead poisoning is a silent disease. Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.
• Most homes built before 1978 contain lead based paint.
• The most common source of lead poisoning today is dust from lead based paint that has deteriorated or been disturbed while remodeling.

Lead hazards are especially bad for children up to age 3 because they put their hands and other objects that may be coated with lead dust into their mouths.

Effects

Lead poisoning can cause:

• Behavior and learning problems
• Delinquent behaviors
• Hearing problems
• Kidney problems
• Lower IQ
• Seizures and death
• Slowed growth

To learn more view Child Lead Information (PDF).