THE DIRT: 2025 Lead Health Intervention Blood Screening

Summer is the time for camping, biking, hiking, and swimming. We explore the great outdoors and, in so doing, put ourselves at risk for lead exposure. Hotter, drier, and dustier conditions also increase this risk. Anyone who recreates within the Bunker Hill Superfund Site may be exposed to lead dust. Because this is a known health risk, Panhandle Health District’s Lead Health Intervention Program (LHIP) provides a free blood lead screening event each year. 

The LHIP blood lead screening provides families and individuals with the opportunity to check their summer lead exposures. This year’s “Under the Sea” screening was an underwater-themed event, providing attendees with information on lead exposure and prevention and fun giveaways. Anyone who had their blood lead level tested had the opportunity to enter a raffle for a goldfish and their bowl. Children six months to six years of age who live within the site received a $50 incentive following testing. Children in this age range are at greater risk of the effects of lead exposure. This incentive encourages testing at this critical stage in a child’s development. 

Blood lead tests are conducted by first washing the testing area thoroughly with soap and water. A nail brush is used if hands are especially dirty. Testing is performed by Shoshone Medical Center’s excellent staff. A finger-poke test is performed, and results are available in a few minutes. If the results from the initial finger-prick test show an elevated blood lead level, a venous draw is then performed for confirmation. Free consultations are offered to individuals with elevated blood lead levels. During these consultations, LHIP staff determines possible sources of lead exposure, and recommendations are provided to avoid further exposure. 

This year, over 350 individuals elected to be tested for summer lead exposure. If you missed your opportunity to be tested, please visit cdabasin.idaho.gov or call Panhandle Health District’s Kellogg office at 208-783-0707 to request your free blood lead test. 

The Dirt is a series of informative articles focused on all aspects of cleanup efforts associated with the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Our goal is to promote community awareness of contamination issues, to provide tools for protecting public health, and to keep the community informed of current and future cleanup projects. The Dirt is a group of committed and local experts from multiple agencies, including the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, Panhandle Health District, Shoshone County, Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.