Parents are being invited to have their children tested for lead this coming week during spring break.
Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller tells us due to the testing numbers being down, the health department is pushing for kids six and under to be brought in.
Anyone can stop at the health department’s Benton Harbor office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday or between 9 and 1 next Friday for the tests. It’s a simple finger prick.
Miller says while the water system in Benton Harbor has improved, there are other sources of lead exposure in the home.
“Lead paint was banned in 1978, so any home that has been built before 1978 could potentially have lead paint inside it,” Miller said. “Lead faucets and lead solder on joints is actually up until 2014.”
Miller says when a child does test high for lead, actions can be taken to reduce their lead levels, often actions involving nutrition. Elevated lead levels in children can impede brain development.
