NOTICE OF APPROVAL OF NEW REGULATION Allegheny County Board of Health On July 6, 2017, Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald approved Ordinance No. 17-17-OR. The ordinance was passed by Allegheny County Council on July 5, 2017. The ordinance ratified a new regulation promulgated by the Allegheny County Board of Health under the authority of the Local Health Administration Law. The following is a summary of the regulation ratified by the ordinance: Article XXIII ("Universal Blood Lead Level Testing"): This regulation has been promulgated to improve the health of the children of Allegheny County by requiring, with parental ability to opt out for religious or strong moral reasons, the universal blood lead level testing of Allegheny County children at the age of 9 to 12 months and again at 24 months. For children not tested by age two, the regulation also contains a "catch up" provision requiring blood lead level testing by entry into kindergarten or by age 5, whichever is sooner. Schools are required to report blood lead level testing rates to the Allegheny County Health Department on an annual basis. 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. The newly approved regulation is available for inspection at the Allegheny County Health Department's administrative offices located at 542 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219. A copy of the new regulation can also be found on the Allegheny County Health Department web site at www.achd.net or by calling 412-578-8320 to request a mailed printed copy. These regulations will take effect on January 1, 2018.
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