Health Care Provider Information

​​Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable environmental diseases in California children. There are no known safe levels of lead in children. Preventing lead exposure is the best approach.

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) depends on health care providers - doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants - to regularly assess and screen California’s children.​​​​

California Health Care Provider M​andates*

​* Read more about the California Standard of Care on Screening for Childhood Lead Poisoning, including additional information about catch-up testing requirements, as well as other indications for a blood lead test.​​

​* California Health and Safety Code, Sections 105275-105310

California Management Guidelines on Childhood Lead Poisoning for Health Care Providers (Updated 2023)​

• ​California Management Guidelines - 4 page ​, accessible version (PDF)
  
• California Management Guidelines - 2 page, non-compliant (PDF)​
  
• Department of Health Care Services, Blood Lead Test and Anticipatory Guidance (PDF)​​

Lead P​​oisonin​g Overview

• Clinical Signs & Symptoms
• Risk Factors​
• Toxicology
• Sources of Lead Exposure

Recent Events and ​​Releases 

• NEW​​ Provider Resources to Improve Lead Screening and Testing​ Rates​
  
• NEW ​Getting Your Child Tested for Lead - Anticipatory guidance materials for health care providers to share with their patients​
• Filter Paper Testing​
• Learn about CDC’s updated blood lead reference value, CDPH’s response, and recommendations for California health care providers (last updated 05/05/2022)
• Magellan LeadCare® Recall Information (last updated 04/12/2022)
• Information for Medical Providers: Assessing and Testing for Lead during COVID-19 (PDF)(last updated 10/21/2021)
• CDPH News Release, CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Eight Varieties of Dried Plums Due to Potential Lead Levels (last updated 2/9/2022)

Reso​​urces

For Health ​​Care Providers

• California Lead Statutes and Regulations
• Health Care Provider Education
• Publications 
  
• Reporting In-Office Point-of-Care Blood Lead Test Results
  

• Lead Reports, Data, and Statistics
  

• Reports
  
• Blood Lead level data by jurisdiction and zip code
  
• Medi-Cal lead testing data
  
• Source Data
  
• Geospatial risk factors data
  

For Health C​are Providers to Share with Patients

• Materials to Distribute to Patients
  
• Answers to Frequently Asked Patient Questions
  
• Nutrition Guidance for Parents
  
• Public Health Services for Lead-Exposed Children
  ​