Southern Nevada Health District Offers Free Monthly Lead Testing

The service aims to help residents identify hazardous items and reduce lead exposure risks.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:11pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme macro X-ray photograph revealing the internal structure of a ceramic mug, with the glaze and paint materials glowing in ghostly, translucent detail against a dark background, conceptually illustrating the hidden lead hazards in everyday household items.An X-ray view exposes the hidden lead risks within common household ceramics.Las Vegas Today

The Southern Nevada Health District is launching a new program to offer free lead testing for consumer products on the first Monday of every month at their Decatur location in Las Vegas. The testing, which uses an X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer, is designed to help the community identify items that may contain lead and learn how to reduce the risk of lead exposure, especially for young children who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects.

Why it matters

Lead exposure can have serious health consequences, particularly for children, causing learning and behavioral problems, anemia, hearing loss, brain damage, and even death in severe cases. By providing free and accessible lead testing, the Southern Nevada Health District is empowering residents to proactively identify potential lead hazards in their homes and take steps to protect themselves and their families.

The details

Starting on 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 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at their Decatur location in Las Vegas. The testing will be conducted using an X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer, which can quickly detect lead and other heavy metals in a variety of common materials and provide immediate results. Items that may be important to test include traditional painted ceramic pottery, cookware, spices, and imported goods, as lead can be found in the paint, glaze, or composition of these products.

  • The free lead testing program will launch on April 6, 2026.
  • The testing will be offered on the first Monday of every month.

The players

Southern Nevada Health District

The public health agency serving Clark County, Nevada, including the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

Dr. Cassius Lockett

The District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Lead exposure is preventable, but it often comes from everyday items people don't realize may be hazardous. 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.”

— Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer

What’s next

Residents can visit the Southern Nevada Health District's Decatur location on the first Monday of each month to take advantage of the free lead testing service.

The takeaway

This new lead testing program from the Southern Nevada Health District is a proactive step to help protect the community, especially young children, from the harmful effects of lead exposure. By providing free and accessible testing, the district is empowering residents to identify potential hazards in their homes and take action to reduce risks.