How To Prevent Lead Exposure
Thankfully, most children in North Carolina are not at risk from lead. Lead is found most often in neighborhoods with older homes. That means children in low-income families are often at greater lead risk.
Most homes, schools and buildings built after 1978 have no lead paint.
Lead Fast Facts
Most homes, schools and buildings built after 1978 have no lead paint.
Still, about 15% of homes in North Carolina were build before 1960.
In North Carolina, most children’s lead risk is very low. Only about 1% of those tested each year have elevated lead.
Water pipes and faucet installed before 2014 may contain lead. Using a water filter can get the lead out.
Lead Exposure is Preventable
The best way to protect kids from lead exposure is to be proactive about getting rid of lead. Don’t wait for a child to be found with lead in their body.
Explore the resources below to learn about easy steps to lead prevention in your home.
If you’re thinking about getting a lead test for yourself or your child, visit our Talking to your Healthcare Provider page.
Is lead a problem in your community?
Explore our Housing Lead Risk Map for North Carolina to learn about lead risk where you live.
Many of the resources on this website are provided by the NC Healthy Homes and NC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program websites. These websites are products of the UNC Institute for the Environment, UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility, and the NC Division of Public Health.