Source: https://ecode360.com/33134722
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 20:14:22+00:00

Document:
§ 810-1 Purpose and scope.
§ 810-3 Blood lead level testing requirements.
§ 810-5 Responsibilities of schools and school administrators.
§ 810-7 Responsibilities of Department.
§ 810-8 Responsibilities of health care practitioners.
Pursuant to the authority granted to the Allegheny County Health Department under the Pennsylvania Local Health Administration Law, 16 P.S. §§ 12010(f) and 12011(c), this regulation has been promulgated to improve the health of the children of Allegheny County. Universal blood lead level testing will facilitate early detection and referral for treatment of lead poisoning; will reduce the incidence, impact and cost of lead poisoning; will inform parents and guardians of their children's lead exposure; and will enable Countywide surveillance of childhood lead poisoning. The regulation applies to all residents and schools of Allegheny County.
A measure of lead in the blood, measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood (µg/dL).
A blood sample obtained either by venipuncture or finger stick capillary blood collection from a child not known to be lead poisoned or to have an elevated blood lead level in order to identify the child's risk of lead poisoning or elevated blood lead level.
A natural person under 72 months of age who is a resident of Allegheny County.
An individual who is authorized to practice some component of the healing arts by a license, permit, certificate or registration issued by a Pennsylvania licensing agency or board.
Any written or electronic document acceptable to the Director showing the date of blood lead level testing, including, but not limited to, health care practitioner records, school health records, and other similar documents or history.
Each child shall be tested between approximately nine months to 12 months of age and again at approximately 24 months of age.
All children designated as high risk, as determined by a health care practitioner and based on the child's exposure to lead and any other factors indicating high risk, should receive subsequent blood lead level testing as deemed appropriate by a health care practitioner.
Blood lead level testing may be delayed if the health care practitioner is not able to collect a sufficient blood sample for testing.
If a child has not had their blood lead level tested between approximately nine months to 12 months of age and at approximately 24 months of age, then that child shall have their blood lead level tested as soon as possible after 24 months but before 72 months of age or entry into kindergarten, whichever is sooner.
Testing methods. Health care practitioners shall ensure that blood lead level testing is conducted either by venipuncture or by capillary blood sampling in accordance with current best practices. Capillary blood sample testing results of 5 µg/dL or greater shall be confirmed with a venipuncture test.
Exception. If the parent or guardian of a child objects on the grounds enumerated in § 810-4 below, then the testing required by Subsection A above may not be performed.
Medical exemption. Children need not have a blood lead level testing according to the schedule enumerated in § 810-3 above if a health care practitioner or his/her designee provides a written statement that blood lead level testing may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the health care practitioner determines that blood lead level testing is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child should have their blood lead level tested according to § 810-3 above.
Religious exemption. Children need not have a blood lead level testing according to the schedule enumerated in § 810-3 above if the parent, guardian, or emancipated child objects, in writing, to the blood lead level testing on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.
Inform the parent or guardian at registration or prior to registration, if possible, of the requirements of this regulation.
Ascertain the blood lead level testing status of every child prior to admission to kindergarten at the school.
The parent or guardian of a child who has not had their blood lead level tested in accordance with § 810-3 (relating to blood lead level testing requirements) shall be informed of the blood lead level testing requirement and advised to go to his/her usual source of care, or to the nearest Allegheny County Health Department location offering blood lead level testing, to obtain a blood lead level test.
Each school shall maintain on file a record of blood lead level testing for every child enrolled in kindergarten at the school.
Failure to have or document the blood lead level testing required by § 810-3 above shall not prevent a child's attendance at school.
Every public, private, parochial or nonpublic school, including intermediate units and special education, cyber and charter schools, in Allegheny County shall, after a child's entry to kindergarten and using forms provided by the Department, report blood lead level testing data to the Department by October 15 of each year.
The school administrator or his/her designee shall forward the blood lead level testing data reports to the Department's Bureau of Assessment, Statistics & Epidemiology, or as otherwise designated by the Department.
The identification of the school including the name of the school, the school district, the intermediate unit, and the type of school.
The month, day, and year of report.
The number of children entering kindergarten at the school.
The number of children entering kindergarten at the school who have had their blood lead level tested.
The number of children entering kindergarten at the school who did not have their blood lead level tested due to medical exemptions.
The number of children entering kindergarten at the school who did not have their blood lead level tested due to medical exemptions or exemptions on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.
Other information as required by the Department.
The Department will provide the blood lead level testing data reporting forms to schools.
The Department will monitor school districts for compliance with this regulation and will have access to school blood lead level testing data.
Health care practitioners shall perform blood lead level testing on children in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Health care practitioners shall report the results of blood lead level testing administered in accordance with applicable Pennsylvania law or regulation.
The provisions of this chapter are severable. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of said chapter shall not be affected thereby.
The provisions of this chapter shall become effective on January 1, 2018.

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