Lead Poisoning Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions Childhood Lead Poisoning Adult Lead Poisoning Home Inspections

General Questions

What is lead and where is it found?

Lead is a heavy, soft bluish-grey metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust in small amounts. Lead tastes sweet but does not have a special smell. It can be found everywhere in our environment, not only because it occurs naturally, but also because it's used extensively in modern industry (mining, manufacturing and burning of fossil fuels).

What are the sources of lead exposure?

Humans are exposed to lead in both outdoor and indoor environments. It is found in the air, soil, dust, drinking water, food and various consumer products. Click here for a comprehensive list of unlikely places where lead may hide.

How do I know if my tap water is contaminated with lead?

The only way to know whether your tap water contains lead is to have it tested. You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water. The Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) at UNCA is a state-accredited lab certified and experienced at testing water for lead contamination. They also test soil, dust and paint samples for lead. You can reach the EQI at (828) 251-6895.

Childhood Lead Poisoning

What is the childhood lead poisoning problem?

Approximately 434,000 U.S. children aged 1-5 years have blood lead levels greater than the CDC recommended level of 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. Lead poisoning can affect nearly every system in the body. Because lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized. Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and, at very high levels, seizures, coma, and even death.

How are children exposed to lead?

The major source of lead exposure among U.S. children is lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. However, approximately 24 million housing units in the United States have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4 million of these dwellings are homes to one or more young children.

Other than lead paint, are there any other sources of lead?

Yes! There are many uncommon ways in which children and adults can become exposed to lead. Some of these include:

hobbies (making stained-glass windows)
work (recycling or making automobile batteries)
drinking water (lead pipes, solder, brass fixtures, valves can all leach lead)
home health remedies (arzacon and greta, which are used for upset stomach or indigestion; pay-loo-ah, which is used for rash or fever).

Who is at risk?

Children under the age of 6 years because they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects into their mouths.

Children from all social and economic levels can be affected by lead poisoning, although children living at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at greatest risk.

Can lead poisoning be prevented?

Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is to stop children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead.

Lead hazards in a child's environment must be removed
Public and health care professionals need to be educated about lead poisoning and how to prevent it
Children who are at risk of lead poisoning need to be tested, and, if necessary, treated.
Click here for more information on preventing lead poisoning.

What are the signs of lead poisoning?

Often, there are no signs. Children can have lead poisoning and not look or act sick. Some children may get sick to their stomachs and feel tired or crabby, or have symptoms that mimic the flu. Developmental disabilities resulting from lead exposure have also been reported. It is important to remember that a blood test is the only way to know for sure whether or not your child has been exposed to lead.

What happens after my child is tested for lead?

If your child's blood lead level is between 5-9 µg/dl, we offer free home inspections and educational materials to support you in making sure the level doesn't go any higher. If your child's blood lead level is between 10-19 µg/dl, the health department in your county of residence will contact you to offer their services. If the level is 20 µg/dl or above, abatement of the lead hazard is required by law.

Adult Lead Poisoning

Can adults be lead poisoned?

Absolutely! While adults are not as susceptible to lead poisoning as children, it may still occur, especially for those involved in professions or hobbies that expose them to lead. If you suspect you have been exposed, contact your local health department to arrange a lead screening. Pregnant women can also pass lead to their developing fetuses.

Who is at risk?

Pregnant women can pass lead to their developing fetuses. Also, adults in some professions, such as automobile repair, home renovation/remodeling, or recycling/making automobile batteries may be exposed to lead. Some hobbyists, such as those who make stained glass, can also be exposed. Remember, lead dust can be carried on clothing and passed to children. If you are involved in a profession or hobby that involves lead, clean up and change clothes before returning home from work!

What can the general public and parents can do to reduce blood lead levels?

Ask a doctor to test your child if you are concerned about your child being exposed to lead. Children should be tested annually beginning when they start to become mobile, or beginning at age six months if you suspect lead hazards exist. The Buncombe (828) 250-5016 and Henderson (828) 692-4223 Health Departments both test children ages six and younger free of charge.

Call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (828) 251-6104 to schedule a free home inspection.
Feed your children foods high in calcium and iron; these reduce the amount of lead the body will take up into bones. Avoid foods high in fat! These hold lead in children's bodies.
Damp-mop floors, damp-wipe surfaces, and frequently wash a child's hands, pacifiers, and toys to reduce exposure to lead.
Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead, and most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply.
Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon, greta, pay-loo-ah) and cosmetics (such as kohl, alkohl) that contain lead.
If you remodel buildings built before 1978 or if your work or hobbies involve working with lead-based products, take basic steps to decrease your exposure to lead (for example, by showering and changing clothes after finishing the task)

Home Lead Inspections

What does a home lead inspection consist of?

A lead inspection is an investigation of every painted surface in a home. We provided a limited inspection-we check many surfaces, especially those that we feel are likely to contain lead, but not all. During a lead inspection, a Lead Poisoning Prevention Program staff member will come to your home at a pre-arranged time. We will ask you to sign a permission form before we begin. We will visually inspect the interior and exterior of your home, walking through and around the premises. Using a specialized machine called an XRF, we are able to quickly and easily determine if your home poses a lead risk. We will share these results with you at the end of our inspection. We may take samples of dust or soil, or we may leave you with a free kit to test for lead in tap water. Dust, soil and water samples are analyzed by our certified lab, and results are typically available in one week.

What do I do if lead hazards are identified in my home?

We can put you in contact with lead-safe certified contractors and provide written materials to help you understand steps you may take to minimize risk. If you plan to work on your home to eliminate the hazard, we will also perform clearance tests (dust and/or soil samples) after the work is completed to ensure the problem has been taken care of. Home inspection and clearance tests are free to those who live in homes in which children under six reside.

If there is lead paint in my house, do I have to remove it?

Not usually. Typically, paint is only a problem if it is peeling or flaking. There are many inexpensive steps you can take to minimize risk. Call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 828-251-6104 for more information.

For More Information call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (828) 251-6104.

Disclaimer: The University of North Carolina System, UNC-Asheville, Environmental Quality Institute, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, their boards, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers are not responsible for any lead paint or lead hazards not identified that may result in any health risk or personal injury to the occupants.