According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to lead can harm the brain, nervous system and reproductive system, resulting in a wide range of health and developmental issues, including serious illness and death.

“Even small amounts of lead can be dangerous to children, especially those younger than six,” said Dawn Poindexter, BCHD’s emerging threats supervisor. “They may not appear sick, but children who have been exposed to lead may have difficulty paying attention and learning. They may face lifelong health issues, such as hearing and speech problems or developmental delays."

Testing will be held weekly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays at the BCHD offices in Niles and on Thursdays in Benton Harbor.

“As part of the state’s new Get Ahead of Lead campaign, we are offering weekly testing that takes approximately 10 minutes," Poindexter said. "We strongly encourage parents and guardians to get a test for their child if they are concerned about lead exposure.”

BCHD officials say appointments are encouraged for testing and can be made by calling 1-800-815-5485 and selecting option three, but walk-ins will also be accepted.

BCHD says testing is free for children who receive support through the state’s Women, Infants and Children program, and self-pay patients are billed on a sliding scale based on income and household size. For those with insurance, BCHD will bill 100 percent of the cost to insurance.

Parents and guardians will be responsible for any cost insurance does not pay.

A trained BCHD professional will do a quick poke of the child’s finger to draw a blood sample. Parents and guardians will receive test results immediately. If a child has elevated lead levels, they will be referred to the Health Department’s lead case manager, who will provide additional resources and support.

Community members can pick up a free water filter during their appointment if they are a City of Benton Harbor resident and have a child younger than 19 living in the home and on Medicaid, or someone who’s pregnant living in the home and on Medicaid.

“The Get Ahead of Lead campaign can help residents find and eliminate lead sources in their home,” Poindexter said. “It’s important to get your child tested for exposure to lead so we can provide you the resources needed.

BCHD and CDC recommend testing if children live in a home built before 1978, receive Medicaid services, are an immigrant, refugee or adoptee from another country, and/or live near a known source of lead, such as a lead smelter or mine.