Lead Risk Assessment Questionnaire

Although all children should receive blood lead testing at 12 and 24 months of age, providers should assess a child's risk of lead poisoning beginning at 9 months of age. A "Yes" to any one of the following questions indicates a higher risk for lead poisoning, and testing can begin as early as 9 months of age. Children determined to be at high risk for lead poisoning should receive parental education and nutritional counseling regardless of blood lead level.

1. Does child receive Medicaid or WIC benefits?
2. Does child live in or visit a home built before 1950?
3. Does child live in or visit a home built before 1978 undergoing renovation?
4. Does child have a sibling or frequent playmate diagnosed with lead poisoning?
5. Is child suspected by a parent or health-care provider to be at risk for lead exposure?
6. Is child a recent immigrant, refugee, or foreign adoptee?
7. Does child have a household member who participates in a lead-related occupation or hobby?
8. Does child have a household member who uses traditional, folk, or ethnic remedies or cosmetics or who routinely imports food informally from abroad?
9. Does child live near lead smelters, battery recycling plants, or other industries likely to release atmospheric lead?

Examples of lead-Related Occupations/Hobbies:

• Construction worker
• Plumber, pipe fitter
• Steel wire production
• Painter
• Auto repairman/ mechanic
• Battery maker/ recycling
• Plastics maker
• Furniture refinishing
• Stained glass
• Preparing or using lead-shot gun target shooting
• Scrap waste materials
• Copper foundries
• Ammunitions maker
• Printer
• Soldered-welder
• Ceramics maker
• Junkyard employee
• Pottery
• Radio/ TV repair
• Insecticide worker
• Glass maker
• Painting
• Lead miner
• Enameling worker
• Gas station attendant
• Lead soldering (e.g., electronics)
• Home remodeling
• Preparing or using lead fishing sinkers