Head Start agencies in central Georgia will offer free lead testing to children in the 13 counties with the state's highest incidence of lead poisoning of young children. (Photo Courtesy of datarec via stock.xchng.)
The testing is being provided because the area has the state's highest incidence of lead poisoning of young children.
The testing is being done with a grant of nearly $100,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The testing will be offered in the North Central Health District next school year. The district includes Bibb, Houston, Crawford, Jones, Peach, Twiggs, Monroe, Baldwin, Putnam, Washington, Wilkinson, Jasper and Hancock counties.
Authorities said children found to have elevated blood lead levels will receive home visits to help identify and reduce lead exposure.
