INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is encouraging all parents to have their children younger than age 6 tested for lead exposure as part of legislation that takes effect on January 1, 2023.
House Enrolled Act 1313 requires all pediatric healthcare providers to offer lead testing to their patients, ideally at their 1- and 2-year checkups. Tests should also be given to any child younger than six who has not had a prior blood lead test. Previously, only Indiana kids covered by Medicaid had to be tested at ages 12 and 24 months.
“There is no safe level of lead, and the sooner we can identify that a child is at risk, the earlier we can improve the health outcomes for that child,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG.
Lead exposure can damage the brain and nervous system, causing slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, issues with hearing and speech, and other debilitating effects. It is more toxic to unborn and younger children but can negatively impact adults as well.
Most lead poisoning in Indiana stems from chipping or peeling lead paint that mixes with dust in the air. Other sources of lead are contaminated soil, drinking water, and children’s toys and jewelry.
