ALERT-Extremely High Lead Levels in a West Salem Multi-use Commercial Building located at 576 Patterson St. NW Salem, OR 97304

Due to a recent detection of extremely high lead levels in a commercial building located in West Salem, Polk  and Marion County Public Health is issuing the following alert:

Lead exposure can result in behavior and learning problems, especially in young children. Currently there is no evidence of human illness related to lead exposures at this facility. The facility has been closed and fenced off pending further inspection and clean-up of the interior by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).  

Free testing will be offered by Polk County Public Health to children 1-18 years of age and pregnant or breastfeeding women who may have been exposed to lead while inside the building between: December 24th, 2016 to March 23rd, 2017. Lead Tests are by appointment through April 13th. Call (503) 623-8175 for an appointment. 

Other adults and parents of children under 1 yr of age are being asked to seek testing through their primary care provider or pediatrician. The testing, though very important, is non emergent and does not need to be immediate.

Providers conducting lead testing are recommended to obtain venous specimens rather than capillary blood which may show falsely elevated levels due to surface contamination.  An elevated capillary blood lead test should be confirmed with a venous specimen.

Additional information on lead exposure and health is available at: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/HealthyNeighborhoods/LeadPoisoning/Pages/index.aspx