Lead Paint Inspections

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• Homes  that were built pre-1978 should be assumed to contain lead-containing paint and surface coatings until they are tested by a licensed lead inspector
• An estimated 4 million U.S. homes with elevated lead levels are home to young children. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• There have been 4,000 cases of elevated blood lead levels in N.C. children since 2013

1. Lead is a toxic metal. It can be harmful to both adults and children. Exposure often occurs with no obvious symptoms.
2. 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.

• Learning disabilities
• Behavioral problems
• Seizures, coma, and even death at very high levels

Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health.

The only way to know if a child was exposed to lead is to ask your health care provider to perform a blood test.

Act early and get your child tested. Ask your child’s health care provider today!

• 5 Things You Can Do to Lower Your Child's Lead Level (PDF)
• More on How to Prevent Lead Exposure

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.

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.

Guide: Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting (PDF) 

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