It is your right to know if your child has been poisoned by lead. If your child is on Medicaid, he or she should be tested at age one or two years. If he or she has never been tested before he or she should get the test sometime before turning six years old. Even if your child is not on Medicaid you have a right to request a lead test. If the doctor refuses or tells you it is not necessary you may have to help educate him or her. Here are good reasons to get a lead test for your child:

1. You live in an old home. Any home built before 1978 might contain lead-based paint. However, if you live in a home built before 1940 in Denver, you likely have some lead hazards in your home.
2. You've recently done renovations in your home that included sanding or scraping paint, or demolishing painted walls, trim, or cabinets.
3. Your child spends time at another house or daycare that was built before 1940.
4. Your child plays in the dirt a lot or you've seen him or her eating dirt.
5. You saw your child eat a paint chip.
6. Your child plays outside around chipping or peeling paint. This might be on a shed or garage or neighbors house.

If the doctor still won't give your child a lead test, call Lead-Safe Denver for assistance.

If you don't have a doctor or clinic, you can still get your child tested. Lead-Safe Denver offers free blood lead testing at different sites throughout the summer. We can also assist you in getting enrolled in a low-cost health plan through Denver Health or other clinics.