Lead Education
Wyandot County Public Health assists with follow-up related to reports of elevated lead levels in children age 9 months through 6 years of age. Education regarding lead poisoning prevention is a vital component of our lead prevention program.
Please note: Wyandot County Public Health does not offer lead testing at this time.
Do you have questions about elevated lead levels follow up? Contact Wyandot County Public Health at 419-294-3852.
Risk factors for elevated lead levels
Home Risk Factors
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, please consider having your home tested for lead:
- Are there visible paint chips near the house (pre-1978), fences, garages, or play structures?
- Is your home located near a lead-producing industry (battery plant, smelter, radiator repair shop, etc.)?
- Is your home located near buildings or structures that are being renovated, repainted, or demolished?
Water Risk Factors
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, please consider having your water tested for lead:
- Does your home use well water that has not previously been tested for lead?
- Do you use water from the tap as soon as it is turned on? (letting the water run will clear the pipes of water that is most likely to contain lead)
- Is tap water used to prepare infant formula, powdered milk, juices, or foods?
- Does your home have lead pipes or lead solder in the plumbing?
Child Behavior Risk Factors
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, please consider having your child tested for lead:
- Does your child put painted objects or surfaces (toys, painted cribs, window sills, furniture edges, railings, door moldings, or broom handles) into his/her mouth?
- Does your child play in soil or put soil in his/her mouth?
- Does your child put soft metal objects (toys, jewelry, fishing sinkers, etc.) in his/her mouth?
- Does your child put printed material (newspapers, magazines) in his/her mouth?
- Does your child consume root or other vegetables that may be grown in soil contaminated with lead?
- Does your child consume certain baby foods or spices (e.g. cinnamon applesauce) that may be contaminated with lead?
Other Household Risk Factors
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, please consider having your child tested for lead:
- Does your family use products from other countries such as herbal medicines, folk health remedies, imported foods and candies, and cosmetics?
- Does your family use certain protein powders that may be contaminated with lead?
- Does your family use any food containers that are made from metal; pewter; homemade or imported ceramics; or leaded crystal?
- Is there a pet that could track dirt or dust in from the outside?
- Does your child play with or have access to any areas where the following materials are kept?
- Batteries
- Candles
- Coloring pigments
- Drapery weights
- Dyes
- Electronics
- Epoxy resins
- Fishing sinkers
- Fungicides
- Gasoline
- Gear oil
- Lacquers
- Markers
- Mini-Blinds
- Paints
- Pesticides
- Pipe sealants
- Pool cue chalk
- Putty
- Shellacs
- Solder
- Tire weights
When/How To Test
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you should have your child tested. Lead tests are conducted by your primary care physician or a child's pediatrician. These tests may be conducted via finger/heel stick or with a venous blood draw. Elevated levels from a finger/heel stick test are confirmed with a venous blood draw.
Children are routinely tested at age 1 regardless of risk factors. Children on Medicaid are tested at age 1 and age 2. Children between the ages of 3-6 years are tested if the child has no test history.
High Risk Areas
Many Wyandot County zip code areas are considered high risk areas for elevated lead levels. To see the most updated list of high risk zip codes visit the Ohio Department of Health's Blood Lead Testing Requirements and High-Risk ZIP Codes page.
Learn more about lead on the Ohio Department of Health website.
