Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance Data — West Virginia
What blood lead testing tells you
When a child's blood is tested for lead, it shows whether they've been exposed to this metal — often through drinking water, paint dust, or soil. A blood lead level (BLL) is measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). The CDC considers 3.5 µg/dL and above a reason to investigate and manage exposure.
West Virginia tracks childhood blood lead levels through its pediatric screening program. This data helps the state and CDC identify where children are at higher risk and what sources — water, housing, industrial sites — might need attention.
Who gets tested in West Virginia
West Virginia Medicaid covers blood lead screening for all enrolled children ages 1–5. This is important because most lead exposure happens before age 6, when a child's brain is developing. If your child is on Medicaid, your health care provider can order a screening at no cost.
Private insurance coverage varies. Check your plan or call your pediatrician to confirm whether screening is covered.
What the data shows
The CDC maintains a national database of elevated blood lead levels by county. These percentages tell you how many tested children in your county had levels at or above 3.5 µg/dL. West Virginia reports this data to CDC; you can search your county on the CDC's childhood lead data portal to see the most recent numbers.
The state's lead program office — housed in the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Environmental Health — tracks trends and coordinates responses when clusters of elevated levels are found.
How to get your child tested and request data
Ask your pediatrician to order a blood lead screening, especially if your home was built before 1978 (when lead paint was banned), if you have lead service lines, or if you live in an area with older housing stock. You don't need to wait for symptoms; screening is preventive.
To request county-level or facility-specific blood lead data, contact:
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Environmental Health Phone: (304) 558-2981
They can provide surveillance reports and help you understand results for your area.
Next steps for residents
- Talk to your pediatrician about blood lead screening, especially for children under 6.
- Check your county's data on the CDC portal linked above to understand local trends.
- Get your water tested if you have a private well or suspect lead service lines (contact your water utility for a list of certified labs).
- Contact your state health office if you want deeper data or have questions about what results mean for your family.
```json [ { "q": "What is a normal blood lead level for a child?", "a": "The CDC considers 3.5 µg/dL the action level for investigating and managing exposure. There is no truly \"safe\" level of lead in a child's blood, but lower levels carry less risk of developmental harm." }, { "q": "Does West Virginia Medicaid cover blood lead testing?", "a": "Yes. West Virginia Medicaid covers blood lead screening for all enrolled children ages 1–5 at no cost. Ask your pediatrician to order the test." }, { "q": "Where can I see if children in my county have elevated lead levels?", "a": "The CDC maintains a searchable database of county-level childhood blood lead data at cdc.gov/nceh/lead/data. You can search West Virginia by county to see the percentage of tested children with levels at or above 3.5 µg/dL." }, { "q": "What should I do if my child's blood lead level is elevated?", "a": "Work with your pediatrician to identify and reduce sources of lead exposure in your home