Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Health

Lead Poisoning Information for Parents

Lead Exposure: Protecting Your Family

Anyone can be exposed to lead, but children younger than six years old are most at risk. Young children often put their hands, toys, and other objects in their mouths, which may have lead dust on them. Even small amounts of lead exposure can negatively affect a child’s development and cause serious health issues, including learning disabilities, reduced IQ, and shortened attention span.

Fortunately, parents and caregivers can take steps to prevent lead exposure and protect children from its harmful.  Click here for from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about lead poisoning and your children (Spanish) (Portuguese).

What You Can Do

Prevent Lead Exposure

  • Keep Your Home Safe: Protect children from lead dust and paint in homes built before 1978. Cover peeling or flaking paint with contact paper or duct tape, and clean windows, floors, doorways, and other dusty areas regularly with a wet mop or cloth. Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home (Spanish)
  • Serve Nutritious Foods: Offer foods high in iron, calcium, and vitamin C, which help reduce lead absorption in the body.  Tips for Parents: Lead and Nutrition
  • Use Cold Tap Water: Run cold water for at least one minute or until it feels cold before drinking or cooking. Avoid using hot water from the faucet for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula.
  • Avoid Contaminated Soil: Keep children from playing in soil near older buildings that may have lead-based paint residue. Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Yard (Spanish)
  • Practice Work Safety: If you work in construction, painting, soldering, or similar trades, change clothes and wash separately to avoid bringing lead dust into your home. Lead at Work - Don't Bring it Home.

Check Your House’s Rental Registry Status: All landlords are required to register their rental units in the RI Rental Registry.  This will give you information on your rental units lead certificate status. Click here to learn the Lead Hazard Mitigation Law?  (Spanish)

Get Your Child Tested

The only way to detect lead exposure is through a blood test. Children should be tested for elevated blood lead levels:

  • Between 9 and 36 months: At least twice during this period.
  • Between 3 and 6 years: If exposed to potential lead sources, such as living in a home built before 1978 or showing prior elevated blood lead levels.

Testing is often recommended annually but may be done more frequently if your pediatrician advises. Speak with your child’s doctor to learn more about testing and keeping your family safe.

Have your child tested

The only way to know if your child has been exposed to elevated levels of lead is through a blood test. Children between 9 and 36 months of age should be tested for lead exposure at least twice during this period. Between the ages of 3 and 6, testing should continue if the child is at risk—for example, if they live in a home built before 1978 (when lead-based paint was banned) or have other known exposures, or if they have previously shown elevated blood lead levels. Testing is typically done annually, but your pediatrician may recommend more frequent testing if results are higher than normal. Talk to your child's doctor to ensure your child receives appropriate screening and follow-up care.

Cost

Lead screening tests for children younger than six years old are free. Rhode Island insurance companies and Medicaid fully cover the expense of the test. Lead screening for children without insurance is offered free of charge at Asthenis Public Health Hub, 206 Cranston Street, Providence, RI 02907. To make an appointment call 401-473-3958.

Understand your child's lead test results

The level of lead in your child's blood indicates whether they have been exposed to lead and if they meet the criteria for lead poisoning. Even low levels of lead exposure can negatively impact a child's health and learning ability.

Blood lead levels are measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL or µg/dL). If you have concerns or need more information, speak with your child’s doctor about blood lead levels and what they mean for your child’s health.

In Rhode Island, a child younger than six years old is considered “significantly lead exposed” if a venous blood test detects a lead level of 10 mcg/dL or higher, and “lead exposed” if a venous blood test detects a lead level of 5-9.9 mcg/dL. Regular screening and prompt follow-up can help protect your child from the harmful effects of lead exposure.    Click here for information about Understanding Your Child's Lead Results (Spanish)

Services for lead poisoned children

If your child is classified as “significantly lead poisoned,” they will receive medical care, case management, and a home inspection to identify and address potential sources of lead exposure. These services are designed to ensure your child’s safety and support their recovery while preventing further exposure. Speak with your child’s doctor or local health department to learn more about these resources and next steps.

Medical care

Medical treatment of lead exposure and lead poisoning is primarily the responsibility of the child's doctor. If your child is lead poisoned, the doctor will inform you about the available help and treatment options. 

Case management

All lead poisoned children are referred for non-medical case management and education to the Rhode Island Lead Center at Blackstone Valley Community Action Program, 401-723-4520 x 248.

Home inspection

A licensed lead inspector will contact you to offer an inspection of your home. The purpose of the inspection is to identify lead hazards, which primarily come from lead-based paint in housing built before 1978. Accept this inspection. Once it is completed, you and the property owner will be informed of the location of the damage and how to repair it. It is the property owner's responsibility to correct the hazards.