Childhood Blood Lead Levels in New Hampshire
Why blood lead testing matters
Lead exposure can happen through water, paint, dust, and soil. Blood lead level testing is how health officials track whether children in a community are being exposed. Even low levels can affect learning and development, so pediatricians recommend screening starting at age 1.
New Hampshire's screening program
New Hampshire requires Medicaid-enrolled children to be screened for lead, and the state health department recommends universal screening for all children ages 1–5. The New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services oversees the state's lead program and maintains statewide blood lead surveillance data.
Testing happens through your child's doctor or local health department. If your child is on Medicaid or uninsured and low-income, you can ask your pediatrician or local health office about free or low-cost screening.
Getting state-level data
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services publishes aggregated blood lead data by county. You can request:
- County-level percentages of children with elevated blood lead (≥3.5 µg/dL)
- Age-stratified screening rates
- Trends over time
Contact the Bureau of Public Health Sciences at the Division of Public Health Services to request the most recent surveillance report for your county. They can also tell you if your area has a local lead remediation or water testing program.
If your child has been tested
If testing shows your child has an elevated blood lead level, your pediatrician will discuss next steps. This might include:
- Identifying and reducing sources in your home (water, paint, dust)
- Follow-up testing to track levels over time
- Referral to environmental health specialists
For health questions about what an elevated level means for your child, talk to your pediatrician or contact the CDC's lead hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Your water system and lead
New Hampshire has 2,473 public water systems serving 1.2 million people. If you live in a community served by public water, you can ask your water utility for their lead service line inventory and testing results. Many systems have been replacing lead lines, and your utility can tell you whether your home is served by one and what precautions to take.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your pediatrician to ask about blood lead screening for your children.
- Request your county's blood lead surveillance data from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
- Ask your water utility if your home has a lead service line and request recent lead test results.
- If you rent, ask your landlord about lead paint, fixtures, and water testing.
```json [ { "q": "What is a normal blood lead level for a child in New Hampshire?", "a": "The CDC considers 3.5 µg/dL and above elevated. New Hampshire tracks children at or above this level. Even lower levels can affect development, so your pediatrician may recommend testing and follow-up even if results are below the official threshold." }, { "q": "Does my child's health insurance cover lead screening in New Hampshire?", "a": "Medicaid covers lead screening for enrolled children. Many private insurers also cover it as part of preventive care. Ask your pediatrician or insurance provider to confirm coverage for your child." }, { "q": "How do I find out if my New Hampshire community has a lead problem?", "a": "Contact the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services for your county's blood lead surveillance data, and ask your water utility for their lead service line inventory and recent test results. Both can give you a clearer picture of risk in your area." }, { "q": "What should I do if my child's blood lead test is elevated?", "a": "Your pediatrician will guide next steps, which typically include finding and removing lead sources at home and follow-up testing. For health advice, talk to your doctor or call the