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Lead Screening
August 12, 2019 - August 17, 2019
Panhandle Health District is offering its annual free blood-lead screening in Kellogg, Idaho, August 12 – 17. Join us at the Shoshone Medical Center and take this important opportunity to protect your family. Everyone is encouraged to come in, learn more, and get tested. Children ages 6 months to 6 years, living within the Institutional Controls Program boundary (see map), will receive blood-lead testing at no cost, plus a $30 incentive. The testing is ‘first come, first serve.’ It requires a simple finger-prick, along with participation in a short lead exposure questionnaire.
Shoshone Medical Center
25 Jacobs Gulch
Kellogg, ID 83837
August 12-16
9am – 6pm
August 17
9am – 12pm
Testing typically takes 15-20 minutes per person. Results are available immediately. If the result shows over 5 micrograms of lead per deciliter or greater, drawing from a vein is necessary to confirm, and can be performed immediately, on-site. If results are consistent with the finger prick, PHD recommends the child’s physician be notified. PHD will also offer to schedule a free in-home visit to test for and attempt to identify the source(s) of the lead.
Lead exposure can cause severe health problems, especially for young children and pregnant women. Heavy metals-contaminated soils are being cleaned up, but people can still come into contact with lead. Blood-lead levels are not always included in a child’s regular physical. PHD’s efforts to identify levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter will allow families, doctors, and communities to act earlier to reduce and eliminate further lead exposure. CONTACT: Andy Helkey, PHD, 208-783-0707, ahelkey@phd1.idaho.gov