Educational efforts focus on prevention methods and target high-risk groups. Lead poisoning awareness is increased by the distribution of educational materials, through various community-based outreach activities, annual health fairs, conferences, and coordination of training sessions. Training provides skills and knowledge to local health care providers related to lead poisoning prevention, treatment and reporting
Evaluating and Testing Children
Identification of children with elevated blood lead levels ensures that appropriate medical follow-up occurs and adverse effects of lead poisoning are minimized. According to Illinois law, physicians are required to test all children 6 years of age or younger if they reside in a high-risk area, and they are required to be evaluated if they reside in a low-risk area. The Illinois Lead Program recommends all children be evaluated or tested as indicated at ages 12 months and 24 months, and 3, 4,5, and 6 years of age, as indicated by Handbook for Providers of Healthy Kids Services (updates reflecting new recommendations and updates to the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act to be published soon) using the program’s Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire and Guidelines and the IDPH Childhood Evaluation and Testing Recommendations.
Illinois law requires all children be assessed for risk of lead exposure, and tested if necessary, for enrollment into daycare, preschool, and kindergarten. Proof of evaulation and testing, if deemed necessary, must be provided. (See the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and/or the Lead Poisoning Prevention Code for details.)
*January 2015 Amendment to Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act* IDPH has published a new Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaires and official Childhood Lead Evaluation and Testing Recommendations
To request educational documents to assist with education regarding lead exposure and health effects during childhood and pregnancy, click here.
CDC Video on preventing sample contamination when collecting a lead sample
Lead Poisoning Prevention Webinars
Kick Off During Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 21-27
To kick off Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and a year-long initiative to bring greater awareness and education to the both the public and professionals who work with lead exposed children, the IDPH Lead Program is pleased to announce the start of our Web Series. This series will run throughout the year and new presentation will be posted to cover a wide range of topics and concerns about lead exposure and children.
October 21, 2018: IDPH Lead Program Presents – A Look at Lead Exposed Children and Case Management through the IDPH Lead Program
Previously Recorded Webinars
*Please click the play button and wait a moment for the webinar to load*
