Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance Data — Oregon

Why blood lead screening matters

Even at low levels, lead exposure can affect a child's brain development, learning, and behavior. Blood lead testing is the only way to know if a child has been exposed. Oregon tracks these results to identify communities at risk and guide prevention efforts.

Oregon's pediatric blood lead program

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) operates the state's lead surveillance system. The program collects blood lead test results from healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health clinics across Oregon.

Testing and Medicaid coverage: Oregon's Medicaid program (Oregon Health Plan) covers blood lead screening for eligible children. The CDC recommends testing all children at ages 1 and 2, and again at age 3–6 if not previously tested. Children with suspected lead exposure should be tested at any age.

Where the data lives: The Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division maintains the lead program. You can request county-level or zip code–level blood lead data by contacting your local public health authority or the state health department directly.

Understanding elevated blood lead levels

The CDC's reference value for childhood blood lead is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). This threshold is used nationally to identify children who may need follow-up and to track trends over time. Oregon reports percentages of children tested with levels at or above this reference value by county.

Higher percentages in a county often correlate with older housing stock, aging water infrastructure, or other local sources of lead (paint, dust, soil, certain consumer products).

What you can do

If your child was born or has lived in Oregon, ask your pediatrician about blood lead screening — especially if your home was built before 1978 (when lead paint was banned) or if your water system has known or unknown lead service line status.

Your water utility can tell you whether your home is served by a lead service line. That information, combined with your child's blood lead result, helps your doctor assess risk.

Next steps for residents

• Contact your pediatrician or local health department to arrange blood lead screening for your child, particularly if they are under age 6.
• Ask your water utility whether your service line is copper, galvanized steel, or lead — or if your home's line status is still unknown.
• Request your county's blood lead data from the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division to see local trends.
• Visit the CDC's lead pages for guidance on reducing exposure at home and interpreting your child's test result.

```json [ { "q": "At what age should my child be screened for lead in Oregon?", "a": "The CDC recommends blood lead screening at ages 1 and 2, and again at age 3–6 if not previously tested. Children with suspected lead exposure should be tested at any age. Ask your pediatrician which tests are appropriate for your child." }, { "q": "Does Oregon Medicaid cover blood lead testing?", "a": "Yes, Oregon Health Plan (Oregon's Medicaid program) covers blood lead screening for eligible children. Check with your healthcare provider or local health department to confirm coverage and find testing locations." }, { "q": "What does an elevated blood lead level mean for my child?", "a": "The CDC reference value is 3.5 µg/dL. If your child's result meets or exceeds this, your doctor will discuss next steps, including follow-up testing, home lead hazard assessment, and possible management. This does not mean your child will have long-term harm, but it signals exposure that should be addressed." }, { "q": "How do I find out if my home's water service line is made of lead?", "a": "Contact your water utility directly and ask about your service line material. If they don't have records, ask what steps you can take to determine it yourself. You can also check LeadP