Shelby County’s Lead Risk Factors

Shelby County’s Lead Report Card, as compiled by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), indicates significant lead risk factors and testing gaps in the county. According to the IDPH dataset, just over half of Shelby County one-year-old children are tested for lead exposure and only 17% are tested at 2 years of age. The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) schedule requires testing at one and two years of age. For children at higher risk, testing is also recommended at 18 months, and annually thereafter up to age six.

Health impacts of childhood lead exposure include brain damage, slowed growth and development, and hearing, speech, learning and behavior problems. Health concerns can be addressed if lead exposure is identified at an early age and the source of exposure is corrected. If your child is tested and has an elevated lead level, Myrtue Medical Center’s Public Health Department can help you identify the source of exposure, help you reduce risks of ongoing lead poisoning, and access support for correcting household sources of lead.

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure when it comes to lead poisoning prevention. For questions about lead poisoning, please consult your healthcare provider or call Public Health at 712.755.4422.