A blood test measures the lead levels in your body. A high level of lead in the body indicates lead poisoning. Children and adults who have been exposed to lead should have their lead levels tested. Lead is especially harmful to children. It can damage their developing brains, leading to problems with their mental development. It can also cause organ damage.
Lead testing is done to check for lead poisoning. In the early stages, lead poisoning typically doesn’t cause symptoms. That’s why routine testing is necessary in children and adults exposed to lead.
Blood lead level of 5 µg/dL or 0.24 µmol/L or greater requires further testing and monitoring. The source of lead must be found and removed. A lead level greater than 45 µg/dL or 2.17 µmol/L in a child’s blood most often indicates the need for treatment.
