Lead
Dust or flakes from peeling or chipping lead paint gets into children’s bodies through hand-to-mouth contact. Lead was banned from use in residential paint in 1978 but any house built before 1978 likely has lead-based paint somewhere in the building.
Lead removal is very hazardous and should only be done by a licensed professional.
Find a certified lead professional
Lead can also be found in some cosmetics, food additives, jewelry, pottery, ceremonial powders, and traditional medicines.
Health Effects
Lead is a hazardous contaminant that can cause health problems in children and adults. During pregnancy, lead can cause preeclampsia (high blood pressure and high protein in the urine) and other problems that impact the fetus. Lead exposure is linked with reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and other health problems.
Links
- NC Childhood Lead Testing Manual, March 2016
- Quick Reference Guide
- Chapter 1 – Introduction
- Chapter 2 – Requirements and Recommended Guidelines
- Chapter 3 – State Laboratory Procedures
- Chapter 4 – Case Management and Follow-Up
- Appendix A – Glossary
- Appendix B – Contact Information
- Appendix C – Recent Memoranda
- Appendix D – Forms
- Appendix E – Educational and Outreach Materials
- Appendix F – Nutritional Material
- Appendix G – References about Refugee Children
- Appendix H – NCLEAD
- Appendix I – Other Resources
- Lead Surveillance Data – Data can be found under the “Data” drop-down link.
- NC Division of Public Health
- NC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (NC CLPPP)
*NEW* Click for lead sources library - Lead and Pregnancy Risk Questionnaire (English | Spanish)
- Environmental Referral for Lead Investigation for a pregnant patient
- *NEW* Spice and Home Remedy Survey (English | Spanish)
- Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, Ceremonial Powders, and Cosmetics fact sheet (English | Spanish)
- Lead Risk Assessment Questionnaire
- Exposure History of Child with EBL Level Form
- *Revised* Follow-up Chart for Diagnostic & Confirmed BLLs
- Prenatal Lead Testing and Follow-Up Policy Template (for Local Health Departments)
- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Expansion Memo
- Health Hazards Control
- Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting Brochure
- NC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (NC CLPPP)
- National Center for Healthy Housing
- *NEW* Preventing Lead Poisoning Online Module
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lead web page
- Lead poisoning prevention programs with materials in additional languages
Printable Resources
