Free Lead Testing for Young Children

The Lead Testing Will Be Held Again on Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn.- From toys and jewelry to soil and dust, lead can be found everywhere. But it’s not a normal part of the human body, and too much lead exposure can cause serious health problems, especially in children.

That’s why the American Lung Association and Sustainable Resources Center joined forces to provide kids 6 years and younger, pregnant people, and nursing mothers free lead testing, at the Piedmont Elementary school and other locations, Monday.

“We do have older homes here in Duluth so a lot of children are exposed to lead,” said Amanda Michaelson of the American Lung Association.

Experts say checking lead levels is important, because people with high levels of lead in their blood stream often don’t seem sick at all, and a blood test is the only way to find out.

“The whole process of the lead test is really simple. They come in, they get a little stuffed Animal, they sit down they can choose what band-aids they want. And it’s a simple finger prick, right there, and we can get the results within 3 minutes,” said Rachelle Menanteau Peleska, Director of Education of the Sustainable Resources Center.

The American Lung Association and the Sustainable Resources Center is holding free lead testing again Tuesday at Laura MacCarthur Elementary school.