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STATE OF CALIFORNIA—HEALTH AND WELFARE AGENCY PETE WILSON, Governor <br /> DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES <br /> 2151 BERKELEY WAY <br /> BERKELEY, CA 94704-1011 <br /> CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING <br /> COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS <br /> 1. Can my child get lead poisoning? <br /> Children aged 9 months through 5 years are at greatest risk for lead poisoning. These <br /> young children commonly crawl and play on the floor, and it is natural for them to <br /> put their fingers and toys into their mouths. If their home is painted with leaded <br /> paint, their fingers may get covered with lead dust that is so small it can not be seen. <br /> This way, children may be swallowing lead dust which can make them very sick. <br /> 2. How can I find out if my child has lead poisoning? <br /> Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. Ask your doctor to perform <br /> a blood lead test on your children. This is the only way to know if they are being lead <br /> poisoned. Your doctor should explain the results of the test to you. Most children will <br /> have a test result below 10 ug/dL. If you or your doctor need more information about <br /> lead poisoning, call the local Health Department. <br /> 3. How much does it cost to have a blood test for lead? <br /> If you have Medi-Cal, your regular doctor or clinic can order a blood test to check for <br /> lead poisoning, if appropriate. Many private insurance policies will also cover the cost <br /> of the test. Whether or not your family has insurance, your children may qualify for <br /> free health examinations through your local Child Health and Disability Prevention <br /> Program (CHDP). Your children may be tested for lead poisoning through this <br /> program if they seem to be at risk for lead poisoning. To find out if your child is <br /> eligible for CHDP testing, call your local Health Department. <br /> 4. How can I get the paint on my house tested for lead? <br /> In California, paint is the most common source of lead poisoning in children. Houses <br /> built before 1950 are most likely to contain paint with high levels of lead. Houses built <br /> after 1950 may also have been painted with lead-based paint, but it is less common. <br /> You can have paint samples tested by a private laboratory. If you own your home you <br /> will have to pay for the tests. For information on local laboratories that test paint and <br /> other lead sources (pottery, soil, etc.) call your health department and ask for the <br /> Department of Environmental Health. If your child is lead poisoned, your Health <br /> Department may be able to help you find the lead source free of charge. <br /> If you live in public housing, the paint may have already been tested for lead. Contact <br /> your resident housing manager and ask if your housing has been tested for lead paint. <br /> U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations require that public housing <br /> built before 1978 be tested for lead paint by the local housing authority. <br /> CkirAwd Leaf Poisoning Prevention Program 7/91 <br />