Lead at Home

A blood test can determine whether there is lead in the body. It is important to test for lead because lead poisoning often occurs with no identifiable symptoms.

• Blood lead levels: facts and figures

Fact sheets are available to teach parents how to lower a child’s blood lead level. They are available to download from the Minnesota Department of Health in PDF format. 

• English 
• Espanol
• Hmoob 
• Soomaali

Information for Clinicians

• Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Minnesota 
• Childhood Blood Lead Case Management Guidelines for Minnesota 
• Childhood Blood Lead Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Minnesota 
• Blood Lead Screening Guidelines for Pregnant Women in Minnesota

About 75 percent of homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. You should assume that a house painted before 1978 contains some lead-based paint. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends several things you can do to protect your family from lead at home.

If your home was built before 1978, have your home tested for lead and learn about potential lead hazards. To learn about testing options, call Ramsey County at 651-266-1199 or email AskEH@co.ramsey.mn.us. The Minnesota Department of Health provides a list of licensed lead abatement contractors and consultants in Minnesota.

A PDF fact sheet is available in multiple languages on how to clean up sources of lead in your home.

• English 
• Hmong 
• Somali 
• Spanish 

The Minnesota Department of Health provides information on what to do when remodeling an older home.

The Healthy Homes program sends a home inspector and public health nurse to your house to help you find out if there are asthma triggers and environmental hazards in your home. The program teaches families how to reduce environmental dangers and have healthier kids.

Family eligibility

Your family is eligible for the Healthy Homes program if you meet the following guidelines.

• Live in Ramsey County.
• Have children with allergies or asthma.
• Participate in a Minnesota State Health Care Plan such as, Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare, Minnesota Family Planning Program, Home and community-based waiver programs or Medicare Savings Programs.
• Call 651-266-1138 for more information.

Referral criteria 

Patients and clients with the following situations would be eligible for the Healthy Homes program.

• Children at risk for asthma or a child diagnosed with asthma.
• Concerns with unhealthy housing such as lead, radon, moisture, carbon monoxide, mold, or pests.
• Children must be on one of the Minnesota State Health Care Plans such as, Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare, Minnesota Family Planning Program, Home and community-based waiver programs or Medicare Savings Programs.
• Call 651-266-1138 for more information or to make a referral.

Deteriorating paint on window sills, sashes and jambs, as well as lead dust that accumulates in the window wells, are the most common sources of lead exposure in homes built before 1978. Check the condition of your window components. Look for loose, chipping, peeling and deteriorating paint on these surfaces. Most of these surfaces are painted with lead-based paint.

Ramsey County offers a window replacement program that aims to reduce lead poisoning in children. Learn more about the program and whether your home qualifies.

• Lead Window Replacement Program (PDF)