Every physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or health care provider shall screen children 6 months through 6 years of age for lead poisoning (Section 6.2 of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act), using a blood lead measurement for children residing in high risk areas. Children residing in low risk areas shall be assessed for their risk for lead exposure by providing the information contained in the Childhood Lead Risk Assessment Questionnaire:
Children determined to be at high risk based upon an assessment shall have a blood lead measurement.
Children who reside in a high risk area shall have a blood lead measurement.
Children who have elevated screening results shall have follow-up testing consistent with the algorithm attached (IDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Assessment and Screening Algorithm).
Elevated capillary results 10 µg/dL and above shall be confirmed by a venous sample.
Each licensed, registered, or approved health care facility serving children from 6 months through 6 years of age, including but not limited to, health departments, hospitals, clinics, and health maintenance organizations approved, registered or licensed by the Department shall take the appropriate steps (referral of children with identified risk factors as defined in Appendix F to a physician or health care provider) to ensure that patients receive lead poisoning screening, where medically indicated or appropriate, consistent with the risks factors in the Childhood Lead Risk Assessment Questionnaire. (Section 6.2 of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act) Patients are those children receiving complete health care provided by the approved health care facility.
Physicians and health care providers may assess children 7 years of age and older in accordance with the Risk Assessment Questionnaire.
By January 1, 1993, each day care center, day care home, preschool, nursery school, kindergarten, or other child-care facility, licensed or approved by the State, including such programs operated by a public school district, shall include a requirement that each parent or legal guardian of a child between the ages of 6 months through 6 years provide a statement from a physician or health care provider that the child has been screened or assessed for lead poisoning. This statement shall be provided prior to admission and subsequently in conjunction with physical examinations required by Section 665.140 of the Department's rules entitled Child Health Examination Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 665).
Nothing in this Part shall be construed to require any child to undergo a lead blood level screening or test whose parent or guardian objects to such screening on the grounds that the screening or test conflicts with his or her religious beliefs.
