Reportable Venous Lead Levels
On January 1, 2025 reportable venous lead levels in children ages 0 to 6 years reduced from 5µg/dL to 3.5µg/dL. An elevated lead level is a mandatory reportable lab.
Lead Case Management Services
The Health Department provides case management services to all children (through the age of 15 years) and pregnant persons who are residents with a DeKalb County address with an elevated lead level.
Lead Testing Services
The Health Department offers capillary lead testing. Please contact us at 8115-748-2467 if you need an alternative site for the testing.
Lead Testing Guidelines
Please be sure to complete the IL Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire for all children 6 years of age or younger. All children must be assessed for risk of lead exposure and tested, if necessary, for enrollment into daycare, preschool and kindergarten. Complete the IL Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire during a well-child or health care visit for children between 12 and 24 months of age (at a minimum) and once a year at annual well-child visits at ages 3,4,5 and 6 years.
All blood lead test results must be submitted to the Illinois Lead Program.
Phone:866-909-3572
Fax: 217-557-1188
Recommended Schedule for Obtaining a Confirmatory Venous
| Capillary Blood Lead Level (BLL) | Time to Confirmation Testing |
|---|---|
| ≥ 3.5 - 19.9 µg/dL | Within 1 month |
| 20 - 44 µg/dL | Within 2 weeks |
| ≥ 45 µg/dL | Within 48 hours |
Schedule for Follow-Up Blood Level Testing
| Venous blood lead levels (µg/dL) | Early follow up testing (2-4 tests after the initial test above specific venous BLLs) | Later follow up testing after BLL declining |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 3.5 - 9.9 µg/dL | 3 months* | 6-9 months |
| 10 - 19.9 µg/dL | 1-3 months* | 3-6 months |
| 20-44.9 µg/dL | 2 weeks - 1 month | 1-3 months |
| ≥ 45 µg/dL | As soon as possible | As soon as possible |
Additional Resources
IL Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire
IL Prenatal Lead Risk Questionnaire
IDPH Evaluation and Testing Recommendations for Pre-Conceptual Counseling, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding
Why is Confirmatory Venous Testing Needed?