Lead Information for Parents

We recommend screening children for lead every year from ages 6 months to 6 years.

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Contact your primary care provider to request a blood test for your child. If your child has an elevated blood lead level, our office will be notified and we will follow up with you. Even if your child’s blood lead levels are normal, you can contact us if you have concerns about lead in your home.

For more information, contact us:
617-534-5965
leadpoisoning@bphc.org

Screening

The only way to determine if your child has been exposed to lead is a blood test called a blood lead level. Contact your child’s primary provider to request a blood test. We recommend that children get a blood lead test every year beginning at 6 months until they are 6 years old.
If the blood test shows that your child has an elevated blood lead level, the Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will follow up with you.
Even if your child’s blood lead levels are normal, you can contact us with concerns about lead in your home.

Our Services

Case management: We provide case management, medical follow-up, and other interventions in collaboration with Boston Medical’s Pediatric Lead Clinic.

Inspections and enforcement of MA Lead Law: We can inspect your home to identify indoor and outdoor lead hazards. If we find lead hazards, we enforce the MA Lead Law, to ensure that hazards are corrected.

Inspections are mandatory if a child has been diagnosed with lead poisoning
If your home has lead hazards that your landlord does not correct, BPHC’s legal counsel brings the case to Boston Municipal Court’s Housing Division to ensure the violation is corrected

Outreach and Education: We provide home and nutritional assessments, social services referrals and education to help keep your child safe.