At what age does screening for lead exposure typically begin?

Screening for lead exposure typically begins at 1 year of age because this is a critical time when children are at a higher risk for lead exposure. Young children are often more likely to be in environments where lead-based paint and dust are present, especially in homes built before 1978 when lead paint was banned in the U.S.

The decision to start screening at 1 year aligns with guidelines from various health organizations that recognize the increased risk during this developmental stage. Children at this age are also beginning to explore their environments more actively and may be more likely to ingest lead through hand-to-mouth activities.

Delaying screening until later ages, such as at 2 or 5 years, might increase the risk of missing early intervention opportunities. Early identification allows for timely actions to reduce lead exposure and mitigate any potential effects on a child's development.