The Multnomah County Health Department tonight reports that 225 children and adults were screened for lead poisoning at Rose City Park School today in Portland. Of the 225 tests, two children recorded blood lead levels that require a venous blood draw to confirm.
The finger prick screening tests tell how many micrograms (millionths of a gram) of lead are in each deciliter (tenth of a liter) of a child’s blood (µg/dL). A blood lead level will tell if a person has been exposed to lead in the last three months. While no level of lead is viewed as safe, a confirmed level at or above 5 μg/dL is elevated and triggers public health action.
This public health action includes working with the child’s parents and health care provider to help identify and eliminate the source of lead exposure. This would include Multnomah County Leadline providing a free home assessment by a trained Lead Risk Assessor to help identify and remove possible lead hazards.
The County popped up the Rose City clinic after reports of elevated lead in water fixtures at Rose City Park and Creston schools last week. Because lead can harm the developing brain and other organs, the Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Paul Lewis recommended that pregnant staff and children who attend Rose City Park and Creston be tested.
A free lead screening for all Creston students and pregnant staff will be at the school on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Health Department is also conducting an analysis to determine where additional testing may be needed.
Questions about your risk? Visit the leadline.org