South Bend Offers Free Lead Screening Kits
Homeowners can pick up testing kits at City Hall to identify potential lead hazards in older properties.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Home Cleaning
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South Bend is offering free lead screening kits during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to help residents identify potential hazards. Homeowners can pick up kits at City Hall to test for lead paint, a concern for many local properties built before 1978.
Why it matters
Identifying lead hazards early prevents serious health threats in households. This program assists homeowners with testing and provides a path to lead-safe remediation for local properties.
Approximately 80% of South Bend homes were built before 1980, making them potentially susceptible to lead-based paint. The city aims to provide lead hazard reduction for 145 homes using grant-funded contractors through 2030.
The players
South Bend City Hall
The local government headquarters acting as the distribution point for household lead testing kits.
University of Notre Dame
A local research university serving as the official laboratory for processing lead paint samples.
St. Joseph County Health Department
The local public health authority providing blood lead testing services for children under the age of six.
The details
The screening kit provided by the city includes 13 individual samples for residents to collect from their property. Once collected, these samples are submitted to the University of Notre Dame for professional laboratory analysis. For homes where hazards are identified, the city coordinates lead-safe work conducted by certified professional contractors to ensure remediation is handled safely.
Timeline
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is observed in October 2026.
The lead reduction program continues from 2026 through 2030.
The Home Front
This program reflects a growing local commitment to addressing environmental safety in aging housing stock. It follows broader federal initiatives to reduce lead exposure by targeting residential properties built before the 1978 lead paint ban.
If you live in a home built before 1978, visit City Hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to secure a screening kit. Parents of children under six should also contact the St. Joseph County Health Department to schedule a blood lead test.
The takeaway
Take advantage of the city-provided screening kits to assess potential lead risks in your older home. Be sure to follow up by having the samples processed through the University of Notre Dame to verify your home environment is safe.
Further reading
For more tips on maintaining a safe household, visit the Home Cleaning section.
Live Poll
Is now a good time to test your home for potential environmental lead hazards?
