Lead Poisoning Prevention

What To Do To Prevent Lead Poisoning

Get screened for lead - it is the only way to know if there is lead in your body. Children ages six and under, pregnant women, and anyone who is exposed to lead through work or hobbies should get a blood test for lead. Hair analysis can provide a more historic view of lead exposure over time. Your local health department provides lead screenings, no appointment is necessary, and it's freefor children and pregnant women at risk.

Test your home for lead in paint, water, soil, dust, and ceramics. If you have young children or grandchildren in your home, or you are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant in the near future, this service is free. Call the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 251-6104 (Buncombe and Henderson Counties).

If you or your child has lead in your/his/her blood

Identify and eliminate the sources of exposure.
Eat/provide a diet high in calcium and iron and low in fat.
Be diligent about washing hands, toys, and pets.
Retest blood lead levels in 3-6 months.
At high blood-lead levels, chelation therapy is an option.

If lead paint exists inside or outside your home

Abatement is permanent (20 years) removal or covering over of lead contamination. Interim controls are less-costly temporary solutions and require on-going maintenance.
Lead paint can be removed by replacing windows, doors, molding, or siding. Consult an abatement specialist.
Lead paint can be covered over with a special encapsulant paint, siding, flashing, drywall, or paneling.
Lead paint can be removed with paint strippers. Avoid methylene chloride.
Never use uncontained hydroblasting, abrasive blasting, or heat guns over 1100 F to strip paint.
Repair all chipping paint and all underlying causes of paint failure, like water damage.
Continually monitor and maintain all painted surfaces so there is no chipping.
Readjust windows and doors so they don't stick.
Don't allow children to chew or suck on painted surfaces.
Eliminate dust - clean often with a damp cloth or mop.
Always clean up any paint chips.
Use a HEPA Filtration System vacuum cleaner.
Wash pacifiers, bottles, pets, and toys often.
Wash hands often, especially before meals and for children, before naps and bedtime.

If lead paint exists on the outside of your home, soil may have high lead levels.

Test your soil for lead.
Keep all open soil areas vegetated, covered with mulch, paved, or fenced off.
Grow non-eatable plants only in questionable soils.
Avoid growing vegetables or allowing children to play in soil near roadways.
Wash pets often.
Leave shoes by the door.

If you are unsure about lead in your Water

Let water run for ~1 minute before use, especially if the faucet has not recently been used.
Cook with cold water since hot water is more likely to pull lead from pipes or solder.
Install a water filter - reverse osmosis, distillation unit, or calcite filter.
Avoid water softeners.

Beware of additional sources of lead

Vinyl, brass, old pewter, and galvanized metal objects may contain lead.
Replace vinyl miniblinds (especially those older than 1997) with cloth, wood, metal, or lead-free vinyl.
Avoid imported foods, medicines, and ceramics.
Wash fruits and vegetables well. Pesticides or soil may contain lead.

If your job or hobby exposes you to lead

Where proper respiratory protection and disposable/washable protective clothing.
If possible, shower and change clothes before coming home.
Leave shoes outside.
Wash dirty clothes separate from children's clothes.
Always wash hands before smoking or eating.
Never keep open food or drinks near a work area.
Have yourself periodically screened for blood-lead levels.

Click here for more resources to prevent lead poisoning.