Lead Exposure - Know the Facts

Lead Exposure Fact Sheet

 

Lead Testing
There are two testing methods determining whether a child has been exposed to lead. One involves taking blood from a finger (capillary) and the other from a vein (venous).

What is New Jersey's testing law?
All children should be tested at both 12 and 24 months of age
Any child 25 to 72 months (less than 6 years) of age who has never previously been tested
Any child up to 72 months of age who has been exposed to a known or suspected source of lead

Where can my child be tested?
Your child’s health care provider may offer blood lead testing in the office or provide a prescription to take your child to a laboratoryFederally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) can provide or arrange testing.
If your child does not have health insurance, free testing is available from your local health department.

Does insurance cover this cost?
Every health insurance plan in New Jersey covering a group of 50 or more persons, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Managed Care Organizations (MCO), is required to cover the cost of lead testing without any deductible.

If your health insurance plan covers a group of 49 or less persons, your child can receive testing on a sliding fee scale (based on your household’s income) from a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). 

For additional information, please click hereFor tips on how to prevent lead poisonings, please click here.