Identify Lead Exposure in Children With Blood Lead Testing
The Midland County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) offers appointments for capillary blood lead testing (finger poke) to identify lead exposure in children.
As of April 30, 2025, the Michigan universal blood lead testing rules (Universal lead testing: R 333.301-304) require venous or capillary blood testing for children.
According to the updated law, the ages for blood lead testing are:
At 12 months of age (age 1),
At 24 months of age (age 2), or
If a child has no record of a previous test, testing is to be done by 72 months of age (age 6).
Additional reasons for blood lead testing:
If a child lives in one of the 82 cities and townships designated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as high risk, they must be tested between 48 months (age 4) and 60 months of age (age 5).
There are currently no locations in Midland County identified as high risk.
Visit the Lead Testing Jurisdiction webpage to view the list of cities and townships identified as high risk.
At least once between their most recent test and age 72 months (age 6) if they are at high risk because they live in a home:
Built before 1978.
Where other children with elevated blood lead levels live.
Within three months of when a physician or parent determines the child is at high risk.
A child’s healthcare provider will order a blood lead test. The blood lead test can be completed at a lab by venous testing, or an appointment can be scheduled with a public health nurse for capillary testing (finger poke) at the Midland County Department of Public Health (MCDPH).
Appointments at the MCDPH are generally available within a week of calling the department at 989-832-6380 (option #1). A capillary test is a screening tool. All elevated blood lead tests from capillary blood must be confirmed with a venous test.
If a family chooses to have their child tested at the MCDPH using capillary testing, results will be shared with child’s healthcare provider. If elevated blood lead levels are found in a child, the MCDPH Lead Nurse will work with the child’s family to identify the source(s) of lead exposure, provide education, and work with the family to reduce the lead exposure level and prevent further lead exposure.
According to Jennifer Fosgitt, Registered Nurse with the MCDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, “No amount of lead in blood is safe, particularly for young children and pregnant individuals. Long-term exposure to high lead levels can result in developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and damage to the nervous system. Verbal screening for lead exposure is not adequate to identify lead poisoning. Blood lead testing is the most reliable way to identify lead exposure early in a child’s development, so it can be addressed”. Fosgitt also shares that “lead exposure can occur through touching, swallowing, or breathing in lead or lead dust. Paint is the most common source of lead exposure in older homes, but exposure can also occur through contact with items such as lead sinkers, pottery, and some spices”.
For questions about childhood lead poisoning prevention, call Jennifer Fosgitt, RN at 989-832-6629 or visit the MCDPH webpage dedicated to Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention.
The mission of the Midland County Department of Public Health is to promote and protect the public’s health through health promotion and disease prevention. Our vision is that Midland County will be a place where every person has a high-quality life and well-being.
For general questions and/or to schedule an appointment, you can contact the MCDPH by phone at 989-832-6380, or by e-mail at MCDPH@co.midland.mi.us. We invite community members to follow us on Facebook and visit our website: https://midlandcountymi.gov/health for ongoing public health information.
A capillary blood lead test is completed at the Midland County Department of Public Health by Deanna Seemann, Registered Nurse.
This article was shared from Midland County Department of Public Health, written by Jennifer Fosgitt, RN, BSN, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
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