Show All Answers

1. What are the health effects of lead?

Lead poisoning is a preventable environmental disease which affects an estimated 250,000 children in the United States. Lead can get into your body, through breathing or swallowing lead dust particles, and by eating chips, dust, or soil containing lead based-paint. Lead is most harmful to children 6 years old or younger because children often put their hands and other objects in to their mouth which may have lead dust on them. Growing bodies absorb more lead, and children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

2. What do I do if I think my child or I have been exposed to lead?

Talk to your pediatrician, general physician, or local health agency about what you can do. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to check you or your child for lead exposure. You may also want to test your home for sources of lead. Call us at 540-853-5682 to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.

3. What are the health effects of lead in children?

Health effects of lead in children can include behavioral and learning problems (hyperactivity), delayed growth, hearing problems, headaches, and damage to the brain and central nervous system.

4. What are the health effects of lead in adults?

Health effects of lead in adults can include reproductive problems, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, muscle and joint pain
, memory and concentration problems, and nerve disorders.

5. What are some sources of lead?

Contaminated dust is the major source of lead for most children. While lead paint that is intact is generally not a concern, paint that is peeling or chipping can create a hazard. Lead-based paint was used heavily in homes built before 1960, but was phased out of paint in 1978. In general, the older the home or structure, the more likely it is to have lead-based paint. It is most commonly found on windows, trim, doors, railings, columns, porches and exterior walls.

View more about sources of lead online. Sources of Lead

6. What are some big steps in reducing my risk of lead?

If you live in a home built before 1978 and the paint is in poor condition, or you have been or are remodeling, you should talk to your physician about having your children tested. A simple blood test is the only way to know if a child has lead poisoning. Blood lead tests are especially important for babies and toddlers since their blood levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months and peak at 18 to 24 months of age. Children older than one year should have a blood test every couple of years or every year if the house or apartment contains lead paint or if you use lead in your job or hobby.

A paint inspection will determine if there is lead content in the paint. A risk assessment will determine if there are any sources of lead exposure which may be hazardous and what actions you need to take. Lead inspections and assessments should be done by qualified individuals who are certified lead-based paint professionals. For a list of certified professionals, visit EPA's website or call the Roanoke Lead Safe program at 540-853-5682 Certain renovations can release lead from paint and dust into the air. Take precautions before you or a contractor disturb painted surfaces by having the area tested for lead-based paint and temporarily remove your family when the remodeling is being done, especially children and pregnant women (sealing off the area from the rest of the house). Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper or dry sander. These can produce large amounts of lead dust and fumes. EPA

7. Are there any other small things I can do to reduce my exposure to lead?

Keep the areas your children play in as dust-free and clean as possible. Ensure that your children have a nutritious diet strong in iron and calcium. This will reduce the amount of lead their body takes in. Keep children from chewing on window sills or other painted surfaces.Wash children's hands often throughout the day, especially before meals and bedtime. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.

Make sure you clean-up paint chips immediately. If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.

Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly using warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner. Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil. Finally, bathe pets on a regular basis to reduce the amount of dirt they bring in from the outside.

8. What are remodeling laws in regards to lead?

Landlords have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases are signed. Leases must include a lead-based paint disclosure form.Home sales contracts must include a lead-based paint disclosure form. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards.

Contractors doing renovation repair, and painting projects in homes, schools, and child care centers have to be certified and trained to follow lead safe work practices. Renovators are required to provide occupants with a copy of the EPA booklet, Renovate Right. All of these federal laws are for pre-1978 housing.