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.

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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.