What is lead?
Lead is a natural metal that is found in many products. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to humans, especially children 6 years of age and younger and pregnant women.
How can lead affect my child?
The smallest amounts of lead exposure can cause permanent damage to young children, impacting their growth and development. Below is a list of potential health effects caused by lead exposure:
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioral issues (ADHD)
- Permanent brain damage
- Hearing loss
- Anemia
- Kidney damage
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Death
How do I know if my child has been exposed to lead?
Ask your child’s doctor for a blood test to measure your child’s BLOOD LEAD LEVEL. This test is the ONLY way to know if your child has been exposed to dangerous levels of lead.
The doctor will write a prescription to take to your local lab to have the blood lead test done.
Why Are Lead Tests Done?
A lead test may be done if a child is at risk for a high lead level. For example, kids who live in older homes or in communities with many older homes are at risk for high lead levels.
How is a lead test done?
Most blood tests take a small amount of blood from a vein.
Where can I get my child tested?
Camden County Department of Health & Human Services
512 Lakeland Road
Blackwood, NJ 08012
(856) 374-6000
*Uninsured children 6 and younger
CAMcare Gateway Health Center
817 Federal Street
Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 583-2400
CAMcare East
2610 Federal Street
Camden, NJ 08105
(856) 583-2400
CAMcare North
6th and Erie Streets
Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 583-2400
CAMcare South
8th and Carl Miller Blvd.
Camden, NJ 08104
(856) 583-2400
CAMcare Clementon
121 White Horse Pike
Clementon, NJ 08021
(856) 583-2400
LabCorp
808 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 225-0230
Osborn Family Health Center
1601 Haddon Avenue
Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 757-3700
*Depends on your insurance provider
Cooper University Healthcare
3 Cooper Plaza
Suite 100
Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 968-8529
*Depends on your insurance provider