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6 Years in a Row
Top rated, 2003-2008
At EWG, our team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers pores over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and our own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Our research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.
Lead Astray: Is Your Child At Risk?: Is Your Child At Risk?
Every child, of every socioeconomic status, is at risk of lead poisoning. Most insurance and HMO plans cover blood tests for lead poisoning, but even families who lack coverage can obtain a test for about $10. All children should be tested at between 12 and 24 months old, and retested at up to 6 years old if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Your child lives in a ZIP code where about one-fourth or more of the housing was built before 1950*. For a list of applicable California ZIP codes, see Table 2.
- Your child receives services from public assistance programs for low-income families such as Medi-Cal, supplemental food for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or the state's Childhood Health and Development Program.
- If you answer "yes" or "don't know" to any of the following questions:
- Does your child live in or regularly visit a house that is built before 1950? (This can include a daycare center, preschool, school, barn, home of babysitter, relative, friend, etc.)
- Does your child live in or regularly visit a house built before 1978 with recent or ongoing renovations or remodeling?
- Does your child have a parent, brother, sister, housemate or playmate who is being treated or followed for lead poisoning?
- Does your child live with someone whose job or hobby involves exposure to lead (i.e, painting, soldering, automobile repair, manufacturing, or recycling, or vehicle radiator repair)?
- Does your child live near an active lead smelter or battery recycling plant or other industry likely to release lead?
Adapted from California Dept. of Health Services Interim Childhood Lead Poisoning Targeted Screening Guidelines, October 1998.
*U.S. Centers for Disease Control. DHS' guidelines are for housing before 1960.
