At its June meeting, the ISDH’s State Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Task Force adopted blood lead screening guidelines. These guidelines identify 667 high-risk census block groups in 35 Indiana counties where more than 20% of the children at or below age six are expected to have EBL levels. Under the guidelines, all children six years old or younger as of July 1, 2001 should be tested by that date. About 55,000 children must be tested — a significant commitment, especially when you exclude children who have been tested but are older than six on July 1, 2001. The tests preferably are done when the child is at highest risk — about 12 months old.

Children outside of these high-risk areas or older than six should be evaluated using a questionnaire and if any of the answers are yes, then be tested. Children on Medicaid are at a higher risk and should be tested at either the 9-month or 12-month checkup and again at the 24-month visit. Thanks to Judy Ganser and Cathy Nordholm of ISDH for their work finalizing these guidelines.