With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
Concerned about lead from the fires? LA County will test your blood for free
If you’ve been concerned about what may be in your body after this year’s firestorm, there’s a new way you can find out.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is offering free testing to help people check lead levels in their blood. It’s available through May, although it could be extended.
Why does testing matter?
Wildfire smoke, ash and debris can contain harmful substances like lead. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious long-term health issues, according to the California Department of Public Health. Lead can be removed through chelation therapy — a treatment that binds to metals in the blood and takes them out of the system.
In this case of a wildfire, firefighters are typically at higher risk for that prolonged exposure because they’re in the thick of the debris for extended periods. But children are particularly vulnerable, at risk of learning disabilities and developmental delays as they grow. In adults, lead buildup can cause things like high blood pressure and kidney damage.
While the CDC has guidelines to measure elevated lead levels, there isn’t a known safe level of it in the body. That’s why it’s important to take proactive steps if you were around the fires. Elevated lead levels have already been found in soil downwind from the Eaton Fire.
The county has already started testing people — and the results seem encouraging so far. As of its latest update on April 7, none of its nearly 200 tests came back above the CDC’s blood lead reference value, which is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter.
Where to go to get tested
There are three ways you can get your blood checked for lead:
- Go to one of the county’s temporary mobile testing locations
- Make an appointment through Quest Labs
- Ask your doctor to do it
The county’s testing is being done at these locations and times, though more may be added in the coming weeks.
Typically no one is turned away, according to the public health department, but it does verify whether someone is from a burn area by collecting their address.
Arts and Literacy Festival
- When: Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Virginia Avenue Park at 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica
Eaton Health Village/Pasadena Seventh-Day Adventist Church
- When: Sunday, April 27 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: 1280 East Washington Blvd., Pasadena
Malibu Library
- When: Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: 23519 West Civic Center Way, Malibu
La Pintoresca Park
- When: Saturday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: 45 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena
For a free Quest Lab test, you can call (800) LA-4-LEAD to schedule it.
Insurance isn’t required unless you’re using your own provider.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places.
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.