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1. How do I get my children tested for lead?

All children enrolled in Medicaid are required to have a blood lead test at 12 months, and again at 24 months of age. According to a statement released by the Center for Disease Control, data indicate some adverse effects have been documented in children with blood levels as low as 10 mcg/dl of whole blood. Call Carteret County Health Department at 252-728-8550 to see if your child is eligible for free testing or contact your physician to request a blood test specifically for lead levels. Only a few drops of blood from a child's finger are needed to test for lead.

2. Is treatment available for lead poisoning?

Yes, effective treatments to remove lead from the body are available through your physician. First, the blood is tested and, if the levels are too high, treatment can be started. A recent study demonstrated that a child's I.Q. could improve if blood lead levels are lowered by medical treatment.

3. What is the incidence of lead poisoning in Carteret County?

Fortunately, the incidence is low. Most of the buildings are relatively new, thanks to the new home building trends of the last 20 to 25 years. There are pockets of older and historic homes in the county that may have lead paint hazards, but for some reason there has been a lower rate of childhood lead poisoning in this county in comparison to other counties. But we can never have false confidence that lead poisoning does not exist. If you have concerns, speak to your physician.

4. What should I do if I suspect there is lead in my home?

If you have young children, are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, have a thorough lead risk assessment done by a professional contractor who does not also do abatement work to avoid a conflict of interest. Assessment will typically involve a range of methods, including: visual inspection of paint condition and location; lab tests of paint samples; and surface dust tests. Several kits that test for the presence of lead in various sources are now available. There are certified contractors who will check your home for a fee.

Contact the North Carolina Health Hazards Control Unit at 919-733-0820 for a listing of North Carolina Lead Certified Inspectors or Risk Assessors. Carteret County Health Department does lead based paint investigations for free in the homes of children who are found to have elevated blood lead levels. For more information on identifying environmental lead hazards, please contact the Carteret County Environmental Health Department at 252-728-8499.

5. Can I remove lead paint from my home myself?

Lead paint removal should be done only by trained, certified professionals who are experienced in working with hazardous materials and special equipment. Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law requires that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than six square feet of paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. For more information concerning the law, go to the EPA website. Protect your family and make sure you only hire a contractor who is in a Lead-Safe Certified Firm. Find a Lead-Safe Certified Firm near you.