Children with Special Health Needs Branch

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION

The goal of childhood lead risk assessment and screening is to identify children who may have been exposed to lead, provide interventions, and reduce the risk of exposure. Even low levels of lead exposure may cause adverse health effects in young children.

The Child Lead Risk Questionnaire may be used to assess the risk for childhood lead poisoning. Lead risk assessment is recommended at ages 9-12 months and 2 years (or at 3-6 years if not previously done) and as risk level changes. If there is risk, a child’s blood lead level (BLL) may be checked by a child’s primary care provider.

Child Lead Risk Questionnaire & Brief Follow-up Guide for Elevated BLL (pdf)

Resource: Hawai‘i Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Guidelines (Maternal and Child Health Branch, 2006).