Have You or Your Children Been Exposed to Lead-Based Paint Hazards?

Is Your Home at Risk?   Find a Lead Safe Contractor

Lead is a toxic metal and exposure often occurs with no obvious symptoms. It can be harmful to both adults and children. According to the CDC, at least 4 million households have children living in them that are at risk of being exposed to high levels of lead. Since 2013, North Carolina has identified more than 4,000 children with elevated blood lead levels. But lead poisoning is preventable -- a simple blood test is all it takes.

If your home was built prior to 1978, you and your family may be at risk for lead exposure. All paint and other surface coatings in pre-1978 housing are assumed to contain lead unless otherwise tested by an NC certified renovator, inspector, or risk assessor. Find out if your home is a high risk for lead exposure. 

When it comes to lead there is no safe amount. Act early and get your child tested - ask your child’s health care provider today! There is NO known safe blood lead level. Children 1-2 years old are at highest risk because of rapid brain development at that age. 

Lead can cause:

• learning disabilities
• behavioral problems
• at very high levels: seizures, coma, and even death can occur.

Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. Asking your health care provider to perform a blood lead test is the only sure way to determine if a child has been exposed to lead.

Children are exposed to lead primarily because of exposure to lead-based paint in poor condition and lead-contaminated dust and soil found in housing built before 1978. Call the N.C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Hotline at 1-888-774-0071 for other sources of lead exposure.

Find out the five things you can do to lower your child’s lead exposure and learn more from Lead Free NC.

Control lead before you renovate or paint. Common renovation activities may create lead-based paint hazards such as dust, contaminated soil and paint chips. These can be harmful to children and adults and exposure often occurs with no obvious signs or symptoms.

Learn how to renovate safely

• Have your home tested
• Contain the work area
• Protect yourself
• Minimize dust
• Keep it clean & control waste

(En Español)

Find or become an NC Certified Lead Renovator

Worried about lead in your home? Search for an NC Certified Lead Renovator in your area. Contractors who are not certified can find more information about the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program.

Learn more from the Health Hazards Control Unit and the Lead Hazard Management Program and send your questions to general.hhcu@dhhs.nc.gov.