The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is highlighting the need for all Hoosier children younger than 7 to be screened for lead exposure during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, recognized Oct. 22-28.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, House Enrolled Act 1313 requires all Indiana health care providers to determine whether children 6 and younger have been tested for lead poisoning and to offer screening. 

Through August 2023, there has been a 21% increase in unique children tested compared to the same period in 2022 and a 393% overall increase in confirmed cases of elevated blood lead levels, according to IDOH. This has led to 81.9% more children receiving resources and support from lead case managers than in all of 2022.

Data shows that no amount of lead in the blood is safe, and children 6 and younger are most vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure because their bodies use the toxic lead in brain and bone development. 

Visit Indiana Lead Free for more information about the effects of lead poisoning and the importance of testing, or the IDOH Lead and Healthy Homes Division here.
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