Lead Poisoning Prevention

Our Program

Free Home Inspections

Free home paint tests and clearance tests for anyone living in a house built before 1978 who agrees to have his/her child (up to 6 years old) tested for lead. Since we use a hand-held XRF machine, results of lead paint analysis are available immediately. Tests on dust, soil, or water require analysis by our state-certified lab and results are available in several days. Click here for more information

Free home inspections and clearances for the City of Asheville and Mountain Housing Opportunities as a community service.

Public Education

Interactive educational presentations in English or Spanish for community associations, PTA /PTOs, Day-Care Providers, Real Estate agents, pregnant Moms, parenting groups, the general public. We focus on identifying lead hazards, potential health effects of lead poisoning, preventive measures, and renters' rights. We are happy to accommodate your schedules and needs.

Table-top display and written materials in English and Spanish are available for fairs and festivals.

Written materials and personal phone contact to all parents of children whose blood lead level is between 5-9 m g/dl, encouraging them to have their home inspected for sources of lead by the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at no cost.

Facilitate the Lead Task Force in order to improve communication between those in Buncombe and Henderson Counties who work with or are concerned about lead hazards and related health effects.

Professional Training

For Renovators/Remodelers/Painters/Home Owners/Maintenance Workers: Lead-Safe Work Practices (HUD Approved, Certification provided)

For Real Estate Agents, Inspectors, and Home Buyers: Lead Hazards in Those Cool Old Homes

For Health-care Providers: Lead Risks in Children and the Importance of Screening.

Our Funding

The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is one program of the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) at University of North Carolina - Asheville ( UNCA ). Our funding mainly comes from a federal grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is administered by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and comes through the Buncombe County Health Center to UNCA . UNCA , and 5 other locations across North Carolina, carry out lead prevention programs in communities under this grant. We work collaboratively with our local Health Departments, clinics, housing programs, schools and health-care providers. We do accept tax-deductible contributions (checks made out to UNCA .)

Our Relationship with Local Health Departments

We all have the same goal - to eliminate lead poisoning. The Health Departments provide free lead screenings to children up to 6 years old. For children with elevated lead levels or lead poisoning - 10 m g/dl or above - they provide follow-up services. If blood lead levels are below 10 m g/dl, children are referred to us.

Our focus is preventative. We work to prevent poisoning and eliminate hazards through education. We provide follow-up home inspections and resources to families whose children have lead levels between 5-9 m g/dl. These quantities of lead in the blood, in the past, were considered warning levels but a recent study suggests that damage to a child's health occurs at these levels and lower.