Childhood Blood Lead Levels in Nevada
Why blood lead testing matters
Blood lead levels are the most direct way to know whether a child has been exposed to lead. Unlike water testing (which only shows what's in the pipes), a blood test shows what's actually entered a child's body—from all sources, including dust, paint, soil, and drinking water.
Nevada's health department tracks these levels to spot where children face the highest risk and connect families to resources.
Nevada's pediatric screening program
Nevada's Bureau of Child, Adolescent and School Health (part of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health) oversees blood lead surveillance for children. The state collects blood lead test results from labs, healthcare providers, and Medicaid to build a picture of childhood lead exposure across Nevada.
Under Medicaid, Nevada covers blood lead screening for all children ages 1–5 enrolled in the program. This is important: Medicaid children are often screened more regularly than uninsured kids, so Nevada's data skews toward lower-income families—a group with historically higher lead exposure.
What the data shows
The CDC tracks the percentage of children tested with elevated blood lead levels (defined as 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher—the level at which the CDC recommends action) by county. Nevada publishes this data publicly, and you can request detailed reports from the state health department.
The state does not report statewide blood lead levels through a single public dashboard, but data is available through:
- Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
- CDC's National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
- Requests to your local health district
If your child lives in Nevada
Even if your water system reports no lead service lines, lead exposure can come from old house paint, soil, or other sources. The CDC recommends universal blood lead screening for all children ages 1–5, not just those with known water lead risk.
Next steps for residents
- Request a blood test. Ask your pediatrician or local health department for a blood lead screening if your child is under 6.
- Contact your state health department. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health can share county-level data: call or visit their website for the lead program office phone number.
- Check your home. If built before 1978, assume lead paint is present. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires contractors to follow lead-safe practices.
- Know your water system. Use LeadPipeLookup to check whether your utility has identified lead service lines in your area.
```json [ { "q": "What blood lead level is considered elevated in children?", "a": "The CDC now recommends action if a child's blood lead level is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher. This replaces the old 5 microgram threshold. Any detectable lead in children is a concern and warrants follow-up." }, { "q": "Does Nevada Medicaid cover blood lead testing?", "a": "Yes. Nevada Medicaid covers blood lead screening for all children ages 1–5 enrolled in the program. If you have Medicaid, ask your child's doctor for a test." }, { "q": "Where can I find Nevada's childhood blood lead data by county?", "a": "The CDC's National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network publishes county-level percentages of children with elevated blood lead. You can also request detailed reports directly from Nevada's Division of Public and Behavioral Health." }, { "q": "Can lead in drinking water cause high blood lead levels in children?", "a": "Yes, but it's usually one of several sources. Lead paint dust, contaminated soil, and some imported products are often bigger contributors. A blood test doesn't tell you the source, so it's important to check your home and water system." }