Lead Resources
Childhood lead exposure impacts early development by damaging the brain and nervous system and can result in lifelong health, behavioral, social and economic challenges. No level of lead in a child’s blood is safe. Even a slightly elevated lead level can lead to problems in the future.
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are a source of medical information and guidance on prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of environmental conditions that influence reproductive and children’s health. PEHSUs work with health care professionals, parents, schools, community groups, as well as federal, state, and local agencies to address reproductive and children’s environmental health issues where families live, learn, play, and congregate.
PEHSUs Childhood Lead Exposure resources are listed below:
Management of Childhood Lead Exposure
Lead and Drinking Water: Information for Health Professionals Across the United States
For more information on PEHSUs and available resources, please visit the PEHSU website.
Risk assessments can be conducted to evaluate a child’s risk of lead poisoning. During annual check-ups, a lead risk questionnaire is required for all TennCare recipients.
The following are recommended to be screened with a blood test for childhood lead poisoning:
- Children at 12 and 24 months old
- Children 36 to 72 months old without a documented BLL
- Siblings and playmates of those with an elevated BLL
- Children whose parent/guardian requests a BLL
- Children whose parent/guardian answers “yes” or “don’t know” to any questions on the risk assessment questionnaire at well-child checks between 6 and 72 months of age or when a child’s risk status changes.
- All foreign-born children should be screened for elevated BLL within 90 days of arrival into the United States. For children 6 months to 6 years of age screening should be repeated three to six months after placement in permanent residence.
Screening with a questionnaire should not take the place of testing children at 12 and 24 months who are on Medicaid or in high-risk areas requiring universal blood tests as defined by state health departments.
Lead Risk Questionnaire:
Visit the TN CLPPP website for further information for providers.
Learn more about the new, lower lead reference level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
