Southern Nevada Health District offers free monthly lead testing for consumer products
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:April 2, 2026
LAS VEGAS – Beginning April 6, the Southern Nevada Health District will offer free lead testing for consumer products on the first Monday of each month from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. No appointment is required.
The service is designed to help community members identify items that may contain lead and learn how to reduce the risk of exposure. Testing is conducted using an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer, which can quickly detect lead and other heavy metals in many common materials and provide immediate results.
“Lead exposure is preventable, but it often comes from everyday items people don’t realize may be hazardous,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “By offering free, accessible testing, we are giving residents the tools they need to identify potential risks in their homes and take steps to protect themselves and their families—especially young children, who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead.”
Items that may be important to test include:
- Traditional painted pottery used for food or beverages
- Toys, cups and other items frequently handled or mouthed by young children
- Household items such as keys or imported goods
The Health District recently conducted outreach testing of traditional pottery from local retail sources using XRF technology. Items tested — including ceramic water pitchers, bowls, mugs and tortilla makers — showed lead levels ranging from 24 to 64,600 parts per million. After being informed of the potential health risks, the products were voluntarily removed from sale.
Traditional painted ceramic pottery may contain lead in the paint or glaze, which can deteriorate over time and contaminate food or beverages. Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that has been found in a variety of consumer products, including cookware, ceramics, spices and imported goods. As these items age or break down, they can release lead dust that may contaminate homes and living spaces.
Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Even low levels of lead can cause learning and behavioral problems, while higher levels can result in serious health effects, including anemia, hearing loss, brain damage and, in severe cases, death. Because symptoms are often not immediately visible, a blood test is the only way to confirm exposure.
Medicaid and Nevada Check Up cover lead testing for eligible children at 12 months and again at 24 months, or at any time before age 6 if earlier testing was not completed. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to speak with their child’s health care provider about lead testing during routine well-child visits.
For questions about lead testing of consumer products, contact SNHD_OutbreakSuppport@snhd.org.
For more information about childhood lead poisoning prevention, visit:
www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/community-health-center/clppp/.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.