How do I find out if my child has been exposed to lead?

A blood test is the only way to know. Ask your pediatrician for a blood lead screening—it's free if you have Medicaid. Children ages 1–5 and those living in homes built before 1978 are routinely tested.

Is lead in Kentucky water a common problem?

Lead in drinking water usually comes from old pipes in homes and water lines, not from the water utility itself. Kentucky has 439 public water systems. Contact your water utility to ask if lead service lines are in your neighborhood.

What blood lead level is considered dangerous for kids?

The CDC considers 3.5 µg/dL elevated and recommends action even at this level. No amount of lead exposure is safe for children. Talk to your pediatrician about what level means for your child.

Where can I get free blood lead testing in Kentucky?

Your child's doctor, local health department, or any Medicaid provider can order a free test. Call your county health department or pediatrician's office to schedule one.

Childhood Blood Lead Levels in Kentucky

Why blood lead screening matters

Lead exposure in children can happen through water, paint, soil, and dust—even in tiny amounts. A child's blood lead level (BLL) is the most direct way to know if they've been exposed. The CDC considers 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) elevated; some states track lower thresholds.

Kentucky's health department monitors childhood blood lead data to identify communities and populations where exposure is most common. This helps target prevention and testing resources where kids need them most.

Kentucky's pediatric blood lead program

The Department for Public Health oversees lead surveillance and prevention in Kentucky. The state tracks blood lead test results reported by doctors, hospitals, and labs—a passive reporting system that captures children who were tested, not all children statewide.

Medicaid covers blood lead screening for enrolled children ages 1–5. Testing is free at most primary care clinics and health departments. However, not all children are tested, so reported BLL data reflects screening patterns as much as true exposure.

County-level data and CDC tracking

The CDC publishes county-level summaries of the percentage of tested children with elevated BLLs. These percentages vary by county and change year to year based on testing volume and results. Counties with older housing stock, industrial areas, or high-poverty populations often show higher percentages.

To find your county's most recent data, visit the CDC's blood lead surveillance dashboard or contact your local health department directly.

How to get more information

Contact the Kentucky Department for Public Health lead program office to request detailed data for your county or neighborhood.
Ask whether your child should be tested (age, home built before 1978, known water or paint exposure).
Request a free or low-cost test through your pediatrician or county health department.

Next steps for residents

Know your child's blood lead level. If your child is under 6 and hasn't been tested, talk to your pediatrician—it's free under Medicaid.
Ask your water utility about lead service lines in your area and whether your home has one. Kentucky has 439 public water systems serving about 5 million people.
Check your home's age. Houses built before 1978 are more likely to have lead paint and lead pipes. Test tap water if you live in an older home.
Contact the state health department for free guidance on reducing lead exposure at home.

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Childhood blood lead surveillance data in Kentucky