Blood Lead Analysis

The State Public Health Laboratory conducts analysis of Lead in blood collected from children, six months to six years of age.

View the Childhood Blood Lead Testing and Follow-Up Guidelines

All local public health agencies and private health care providers are eligible to submit samples.

All private health care providers must register with the State Public Health Laboratory before samples can be submitted. Providers can register by contacting us.

Local public health agencies may submit samples for patients that do not qualify as six months to six years of age if certain other circumstances are met (i.e. siblings with elevated blood lead levels, special studies, etc.). Prior approval and notification from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Section for Environmental Public Health (SEPH) (573-526-4911 or (toll-free) 866-628-9891) must be obtained.

Blood Lead samples must be submitted in collection devices obtained from the State Public Health Laboratory.

Samples may be collected and submitted as a venous or capillary sample type.

For instructions to collect a capillary blood lead sample for the State Public Health Laboratory go to the following link: SPHL Capillary Collection Instructions.

The State Public Health Laboratory does not analyze blood lead samples for occupational purposes unless it is a part of an approved special study.

All blood lead samples are analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The State Public Health Laboratory participates in the national CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) approved proficiency testing program. Thus, all submitters must meet and follow certain criteria and procedures as established by the State Public Health Laboratory. All blood samples must be submitted in collection devices that are provided free of charge by the State Public Health Laboratory. Mailing supplies for the samples are also provided at no charge. These measures provide several quality assurances, including guarantees that the collection tubes do not contain detectable lead.

Registered health care providers can request supplies by contacting us.

Fee

The State Public Health Laboratory is authorized to collect a fee of $16.50 for each lead test that is performed (venous or capillary) through Missouri Statute, Chapter 701, Section 701.322. The fees collected will be used to help support the childhood lead testing program, including providing laboratory testing to uninsured children.

Each provider will be billed on a monthly basis.

No fee will be charged for Medicaid clients. Medicaid clients are identified by using the Medicaid client DCN number completed on the blood lead laboratory request form. After verification of eligible status at the time the sample was collected, adjustments will be made to the monthly billing. The SPHL will bill the Medicaid State Agency or the MC+ plan for all Medicaid client tests.

Providers in managed care areas are encouraged to submit specimens to the plans' contracted laboratories.

The fee may only be waived during an epidemiological investigation of vital importance to public health.

For questions about the blood Lead testing fee, contact us.

Links

For more information about the blood lead program contact the Department of Health and Senior Services' Section for Environmental Public Health (SEPH), or go to Childhood Lead web information at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/ChildhoodLead/.

For more information about lead poisoning, visit the ARC web site at: http://thearc.org/faqs/leadqa.html.

For facts about lead poisoning, visit: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/hsees/lead.PDF.