You Are Here : Home / Government/ Public Health / Environmental Health / Lead Education & Assistance

Lead Education & Assistance

The purpose of the Lead Education and Assistance Program is to help residents of the East Helena Superfund Site and Lewis & Clark County prevent health risks associated with exposure to lead.

The East Helena Lead Education and Assistance Program (LEAP) is pleased to announce that we have partnered with St. Peter’s Wellness Services to provide free venous blood lead testing. The test is free for all East Helena residents who live within the Administrative Boundary of the East Helena Superfund Site.

The blood lead test can be used as:

A follow-up to an elevated capillary test for a child 0-15 years old;
An initial test for any child 16 years and older;
An initial test for all adults.

The test is a venous draw that analyzes blood for lead concentrations and is reported in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). The results will be sent confidentially to you and to our program.

You can call St. Peter’s Wellness Services at 406-444-2128 to schedule your appointment. Their office is located in the St. Peter’s Administration Building, 2500 Broadway Street.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children who are at risk for lead exposure should be tested for lead poisoning. The best way to know if a child has been exposed to lead is to have their blood tested. Children enrolled in Medicaid are required to get tested for lead at ages 12 and 24 months. They are also required to get tested if they are ages 24–72 months and have no record of ever being tested.

If you have any questions concerning testing, please call our office at 457-8583.

For further information about the soil displacement project, please see the recording of our May 2024 Board of Health Meeting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoYy-OdODGg

For more information, you can review the draft Soils Regulations HERE(DOCX, 75KB) or view the staff Power Point presentation on those regulations HERE(PPTX, 6MB).

Our Services

Provide education and resources on lead-safe practices and exposure prevention.
Implement and administer institutional controls for long-term reduction of exposure risk.
Administer the Regulations Governing Soil Displacement and Disposal(PDF, 1MB) within the Superfund administrative boundaries.
Conduct residential environmental assessments, including testing of soil and interior dust.
Educate the public about the importance of nutrition, personal hygiene, and safe play in reducing lead exposure.
Provide information on the status of clean-up and sampling results for properties within the administrative boundary.
Provide presentations to schools, day cares, professional organizations, and other groups.

Lead Resources

East Helena Soil Displacement Permitting

Permit Requirements

The Regulations Governing Soil Displacement and Disposal requires a permit to disturb soil within the East Helena Superfund Administrative Boundary under the following conditions:

The project involves displacing one or more cubic yards of soil AND
The soil on the property has lead levels above 500 mg/kg

Regulations Governing Soil Displacement and Disposal(PDF, 1MB)

Use the East Helena Institutional Controls Interactive Map to view the status of each property within the East Helena Administrative Boundary:

Properties shown in green on the map have been cleaned up and do not require a permit for soil displacement activities.
Properties shown in blue have not been cleaned up. Clicking on the project site on the map shows the highest lead level. If the highest lead level is above the 500 mg/kg threshold and more than a cubic yard of soil is displaced, a permit is required.

If the project requires a permit, please complete the following application. Submit the permit application at least one week in advance to allow time for review and adjustments to the plan.

East Helena Soil Displacement Permit Application

NEW! The location of the East Helena soils repository has changed. Map of New Repository Location(PDF, 497KB)

East Helena Soil Certification

Lead Certification Training is a requirement for anyone applying for a permit for soil displacement in the East Helena Superfund Administrative Boundary. The training is designed to educate individuals working with lead-contaminated soil on how to keep themselves and the community safe.

Training takes about 15 minutes and is done virtually. The training certificate is good for two years.

For questions related to permitting or to complete Lead Certification Training, please contact Beth Norberg at 406-447-8385 or bnorberg@lccountymt.gov.

For Parents

What to do if you believe your child has been exposed to lead

If you suspect your child has been exposed to lead, reach out to your child's health care provider to have your child tested. Some symptoms of lead exposure in children include learning difficulties, irritability, abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, developmental delays, and seizures. This list of symptoms is not all inclusive and symptoms may present differently in each child. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Exposure Prevention Tips and Resources

Exposure to lead in the home is preventable. The primary source of lead exposure in the home is lead-based paint. Homes built in 1978 or earlier may contain lead-based paint on the interior and exterior painted surfaces. Paint that is still intact and smooth does not present a risk of exposure. However, lead-based paint that is peeling or chipping can present a hazard to the individuals residing in your home. Other sources of lead in the home may include imported toys, antique toys and furniture, and toy jewelry.

Children are particularly at risk for lead exposure due to the tendency for small children to crawl on the floor and put their hands and other objects in their mouths. Children also absorb lead into their bodies more readily than adults. As a result, it is important to be aware of potential sources of lead in the home and how to prevent exposure.

The Environmental Protection Agency has useful resources for protecting your family from lead in your home:

Lead in Your Home (epa.gov)

Blood Lead Levels in Children (cdc.gov)

All Children Can Be Exposed to Lead (cdc.gov)

Do-it-yourself Renovation Resources

Renovation of homes built before 1978 may expose your family to dust from lead- based paint. Always use an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator, when possible, to prevent the spread of lead contaminated dust and paint chips throughout your home.

A list of EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firms can be found at the following website:

Locate Certified Renovation and Lead Dust Sampling Technician Firms | Lead | US EPA

If you decide to complete repairs on your own, see the following link to the EPA Guide for Safe Renovation:

Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting

For Health Care Providers

Blood Lead Level Reporting Requirements and How to Report

At the end of 2022, the reporting requirement for elevated blood lead was updated to the following:

Lead levels in a capillary blood specimen of ≥ 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) in a person less than 16 years of age
Lead levels in a venous blood specimen at any level

37.114.203 : REPORTABLE DISEASES AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE - Administrative Rules of the State of Montana (mt.gov)

Lab results can be reported via the Montana Infectious Disease Information System (MIDIS). Alternatively, reports can be made to 406-457-8583 or via our HIPAA compliant form:

Elevated Blood Lead Reporting Form

CDC Recommended Retesting Timelines

If you have a patient with a blood lead level greater than 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends specific actions for treatment and follow up testing. Please see the CDC website for up-to-date recommendations:

Child Care Providers

Maintaining a Lead-Safe Environment for Children

Childcare providers play an important role in preventing childhood lead exposure. If your childcare facility was built before 1978, there is a good chance that lead-based paint is present in the facility. Children are particularly at risk for lead exposure due to the tendency to crawl around on the floor and put their hands and other objects in their mouths. Children also absorb lead into their bodies more readily than adults. Exposure to lead can lead to lifelong damage to the brain and nervous system. There are several precautions you can take in your facility to maintain a lead-safe environment:

Maintain interior and exterior paint in excellent condition. Peeling or chipped paint must be addressed by a Lead-Safe Certified renovation firm.

Have the water tested to ensure that plumbing components are not leaching lead into the drinking water.
Vacuum frequently.
Dust frequently
Ensure that toys come from a safe source and do not contain lead-based paint.
Wash toys, bottles, and pacifiers often.
Assist children with frequent hand washing.
If your facility provides meals, provide a diet that is low in fat and high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
Wash fruits and vegetables before serving.

Please see the following links for additional resources:

Resources for Child Care Providers about Lead | US EPA

Renovation Firms & Contractors

EPA Requirements for Firms Conducting Renovations

Federal law requires all renovation, repair, and painting firms (including sole proprietorships) working in housing, or facilities where children are routinely present, built before 1978, to be certified. Certification ensures that a firm is trained on lead-safe practices. Firms must apply to EPA for certification to perform renovations or dust sampling. Please see the link below for more information on training requirements and to locate a training class:

Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Renovator Training | US EPA

East Helena Homebuyers & Realtors

Property Clean-up Status

Individuals purchasing homes within the East Helena Superfund Administrative Boundary can find information on the clean-up status of a property by searching the property address using East Helena Institutional Controls Interactive Map.

Properties shown in green have had the contaminated soil removed from the property and replaced with clean soil. Properties in blue have not been cleaned up.

To request additional information about a specific property, please contact Beth Norberg at 406-447-8385 or bnorberg@lccountymt.gov.

East Helena Soils Map

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Beth Norberg at 406-447-8385 or via email at bnorberg@lccountymt.gov.