Lead Paint Inspections

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Facts about lead paint

• Homes that were build 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.

What you should know

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.

Lead can cause:

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

Protect you and your children from lead exposure

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

Homes build pre-1978 that contain lead are the primary, but not the only, source of 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 build before 1978. Call the N.C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Hotline at 1-888-774-0071 for other sources of lead exposure.

Lower your risk during construction or renovation

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)

Learn how to renovate safely

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