Florence, Wis. — Should your child be tested for lead? The answer is yes if your child is between the ages of 1-5 years old. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends blood lead testing twice for each child under the age of five.

It is ideal to have the test once between the ages of 1-3 years of age and again between the ages of 3-5 years of age. Taking the lead test through a blood sample is a simple procedure which can be done at your healthcare provider’s office through a finger prick.

Why is it important to test for blood lead twice before five years of age? Lead poisoning is defined as a concentration of five or higher. Providers may take a second test through a blood draw to validate an initial high test as the blood draw is more reliable.

High blood lead levels can lead to serious short and long term effects to a child’s behavior and ability to learn.

Worried about cost? Health insurances are required to cover blood lead tests through preventive visits and Medicaid/Badgercare also covers the test.

For more information, go to the Florence County Health Department webpage at http://www.florencecountywi.com/ or you may call the Florence County Health Department at 715-528-4837. They are located on the first floor of the courthouse. The department is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed for lunch from noon to 12:30.