Heat, drought and increased outdoor play are rising this summer in Indianapolis, and with them comes renewed concern over lead exposure.
Experts warn that children face heightened risk of lead exposure, especially in neighborhoods built before 1978 or with known soil contamination.
An annual uptick in danger
“Children’s blood lead levels tend to spike during the summer months,” said Gabriel Filippelli, professor of earth sciences and director of the Center for Urban Health at Indiana University.
He noted soil outside continues to carry the legacy of decades of leaded gasoline and industrial pollution, contributing significantly to exposure risk.
In a 2023 study, Filippelli’s team found approximately 37% of residential soil samples from Indianapolis exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s screening level for lead. In many historically underserved neighborhoods, children were five to six times more likely than their peers to register blood lead levels above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reference threshold.
During dry months, wind and activity in yards and parks stir contaminated dust into the air. Young children are especially vulnerable when inhaling or unintentionally ingesting it through hand-to-mouth behavior. Lead exposure can cause developmental delays, behavioral challenges, lowered IQ and other lifelong impacts.
The CDC emphasizes that no level of lead in a child’s blood is considered safe.
Local tools and testing available
Families in Indianapolis can take several steps to lower lead risks: keeping soil moist or covered with grass or mulch, removing shoes before entering the home, cleaning surfaces with wet cloths and ensuring children wash hands after playing outside.
For more thorough support, the Marion County Public Health Department and Indiana University launched Lead Advisor/MissionUnleaded.org, where residents can search by address to view prior testing results, schedule free soil testing kits and access remediation resources.
Indiana now requires universal screening for lead at children’s ages 12 and 24 months or up to age 6 if previously untested. The state’s Lead & Healthy Homes Division provides follow-up services for families whose children test above the reference level.
Upcoming community events
This August, a free health service event announced by the Indianapolis Recorder will offer vaccinations, lead testing and more:
- Aug. 16, 2025, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Community Family Fun & Health Service Day – Part 2
Held at the Washington Park Family Center (3130 E. 30th St.), this health fair offers lead testing for children and expectant mothers, information on Martindale-Brightwood lead pipe removal efforts, mental and physical health resources, entertainment, food and a baby shower sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The first 125 attendees receive a $50 gift card, and children who complete lead testing earn a $20 gift card. Registration is required by Aug. 8.
Summer’s heat and dryness can amplify lead risks in Indianapolis — but residents are not without support. Testing tools like Lead Advisor, culturally tailored outreach and powerful partnerships make timely intervention possible. Families are encouraged to attend the August events to access testing and care. For ongoing protection, maintain dust control habits at home, pursue testing when needed and stay informed of community resources.
For more information about lead in Marion County, visit marionhealth.org/provider_pb_poisoning_info/.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
