• There is no safe level of lead in the blood.
• The ultimate goal is removal of the lead source before exposure (primary prevention).
• “Screening” is a risk assessment conducted via questionnaire; “testing” is performed via blood test (either venous or capillary).
• Screening is recommended for all children at 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months, and 3, 4, 5, and 6 years of age.
• Testing is required at 12 and 24 months for children on Medicaid and/or in high-risk areas or risk factors requiring universal blood tests as defined by state health departments.
• Test all children in the same household if there is an elevated blood lead level (BLL) for one of the children.
• Lead exposure can be viewed as a lifelong exposure, even after BLL decline.

Lead exposure continues to be a significant public health concern in the United States. While primary prevention is the optimal approach to addressing this important health issue, the identification of lead-exposed children occurs through screening and testing. This fact sheet is intended for use by health care providers to provide guidance on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of childhood lead exposure.