Immigrant, Refugee Kids More Likely to Face Lead; Test Blood
CDC lists immigrant and refugee children, and children recently adopted from less developed countries, among the children more likely to be exposed to lead; children who live in homes built before 1978, come from low-income households, or live with someone whose job or hobby involves lead are on the same list. CDC says a blood lead test is the best way to find out whether a child has lead poisoning, because a child with lead poisoning may show no signs or symptoms.
CDC also says no safe level of lead in children has been identified. This article follows CDC’s page on testing children for lead: which children should be tested, how testing works, how to read results and what a doctor may recommend afterward. Talk with your child’s health care provider about whether your child should be tested.
Why test the blood
CDC explains (CDC Testing for Lead Poisoning in Children):
- No visible symptoms: most children with any lead in their blood have no obvious immediate symptoms.
- Blood test is best: a blood lead test is the best way to find out whether a child has lead poisoning.
- Where to test: health care providers can test, and most local health departments can test blood for lead too.
Which children are more likely to be exposed
CDC says all children at risk of lead exposure should be tested. CDC lists children who are more likely to be exposed to lead:
- Older homes: live in or spend time in a house or building built before 1978.
- Low-income households: are from low-income households.
- Immigrants, refugees, adoption: are immigrants or refugees, or were recently adopted from less developed countries.
- A family member’s job: live or spend time with someone who works with lead.
- A family member’s hobby: live or spend time with someone whose hobbies expose them to lead.
A health care provider may ask a few questions to judge whether a child is at risk.
Children on Medicaid
- At 12 and 24 months: children enrolled in Medicaid are required to be tested at 12 and 24 months of age.
- 24 to 72 months: children 24 to 72 months old with no record of ever being tested are also required to be tested.
For children not enrolled in Medicaid, CDC recommends focusing testing on high-risk neighborhoods and children.
How testing works
- Finger or heel prick: usually the first step, with fast results; lead on the skin can get into the sample and make the result read high. A result above the reference value may be followed by a second test to confirm it.
- Blood draw from a vein: blood is taken from a vein, and results can take a few days; this test is often used to confirm a finger- or heel-prick result.
Reading the results
- Units: blood lead level is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL).
- Detectable means exposed: any detectable lead means the child has been exposed, and the child may still be exposed.
- Reference value 3.5 μg/dL: CDC uses 3.5 μg/dL as its reference value; children at or above it are in the top 2.5% of blood lead levels among U.S. children ages 1 to 5.
- No safe level: no safe level of lead in children has been identified; low levels should still be viewed as a concern.
After the test
- Above the reference value: a doctor may recommend removing lead from the home, a diet rich in iron and calcium, early education services and repeat tests.
- The earlier the better: CDC says early identification of lead in the blood is key to reducing long-term effects.
- Very high levels: may call for more testing and treatment, such as an X-ray to check for swallowed lead, or chelation therapy to remove lead from the body.
Cost
- Private insurance: CDC says many private insurance policies cover blood lead testing.
- Medicaid: for children enrolled in Medicaid, the cost is covered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
For vaccines when a child has no insurance, see Uninsured or on Medicaid, Kids 18 and Under Can Use VFC; for choosing a primary doctor first, see Pick a Primary Doctor First, HMOs Usually Need Referrals; for whether immigrants can get Medicaid, see Federal Medicaid Funds Only 3 Immigrant Groups From October.
What this article doesn’t cover
- Where lead at home comes from and how to remove it: CDC has separate prevention pages, and this article didn’t look into them.
- State testing rules: this article didn’t check whether states require testing beyond Medicaid.
- Out-of-pocket cost: the page doesn’t say, so this article doesn’t either.
FAQ
My child looks healthy. Do they still need a test?
CDC says a child with lead poisoning may show no symptoms, and a blood test is the best way to find out. Talk with your child’s health care provider about whether to test.
We are immigrants. Does my child have to be tested?
CDC lists immigrant and refugee children among those more likely to be exposed to lead and says children at risk of lead exposure should all be tested; the same list also includes older homes, low-income households and family members exposed to lead.
If the result is under 3.5, is everything fine?
CDC says no safe level of lead in children has been identified, and low levels should still be viewed as a concern.
Do we pay for the test ourselves?
CDC says many private insurance policies cover it; for children on Medicaid, CMS covers the cost.
Sources and date checked
All checked on 2026-11-01.
- CDC, Testing for Lead Poisoning in Children (page updated 2026-03-11):https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/testing/index.html