Lead Testing: New requirements from the State of Michigan
To keep our children safe and appropriately screened, the state of Michigan requires that all children be tested for lead at 12 and 24 months of age with testing completed by age 6 if not previously done.
Did you know?
Thanks to a grant through the state of Michigan, it is also easily accessible at the Corner's Student Help & Healing Center (SHHC) whether you are a current patient or not. Testing takes just minutes and involves a small finger poke and blood collection.
It is recommended for all 4-year-olds living in the following high-risk jurisdictions:
- Bronson
- Coldwater
- Colon
- Sturgis
- Three Rivers
- Union
It is also recommended for those whose siblings have had elevated blood lead levels on prior testing and those living in a home built before 1978.
Why is lead testing important?
Lead is not easily detectable in the environment and at high levels can negatively impact early learning, behavior, speech, hearing, growth, and nervous system development. Lead testing can be performed as part of your 4-year-old’s annual physical, as a component of his or her preschool physical, or as a stand-alone appointment.
If your child’s blood lead levels are found to be elevated, important lab follow up with evaluation of possible lead sources in the home is important and can be supported through the clinic and the health department. If those blood lead levels are low, no further testing is recommended.
How the Corner can help
The SHHC will be visiting the following GSRP locations from 1 - 3 p.m. to provide on-site lead testing this month with possible additional dates at other locations to come:
- October 15: Centreville
- October 22: White Pigeon
If your child is due for his or her 4-year lead test, stop by the clinic or call us at (269) 216-49170 to make an appointment.
If you would like to learn more about lead testing in the state of Michigan, click here.