Lead

The purpose of the Union County Children's Environmental Health Childhood Lead Prevention Program is to protect and improve the health of children from the harmful effects of lead through the implementation of the North Carolina Rules Governing Lead Poisoning Prevention in Children, 15A NCAC 18A .3100. Union County Children's Environmental Health coordinates and assists in the environmental investigation of a child who has been lead poisoned.

Exposure to lead is particularly harmful to children under the age of six, due to its effect on their rapidly developing brains and nervous systems. 

Visit our dedicated webpage on lead for more information.

What exactly is lead?

Lead is a naturally-occurring toxic metal that can build up in the body and cause health problems like:

  • reduced IQ
  • learning disabilities
  • behavioral problems

Lead was used for many years in construction products (paint, solder), gasoline and other products. The deterioration of these lead-containing products produces lead poisoning hazards in homes, buildings and surrounding areas.

The most affected are children under six year of age, and babies of pregnant women. Even small amounts of lead that are ingested or inhaled can enter the bloodstream and cause a variety of health effects.

Moisture and Mold

Molds spores are everywhere floating through the air. When a spore finds an area with ideal moisture, nutrients, and temperature, they begin to grow.

Common places for mold to grow indoors include humid places such as:

  • basements
  • bathrooms
  • below and around water leaks

Mold can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, red eyes, a runny nose, or even respiratory issues.

If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem to avoid more growth from happening.  

Pests and Pesticides

Pests such as cockroaches, rodents, and bed bugs will enter a home when there is plenty of food, water, and shelter available.

The presence of pests can cause disease and trigger asthma attacks, while health effects of bringing pesticides into our homes can include eye, nose, and throat irritations, kidney damage, and the risk of poisoning.

It is best to use alternative pest management methods before bringing pesticides into a home.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality can be affected by many factors including chemical irritants, secondhand smoke, radon, and carbon monoxide.

Poor indoor air quality can create asthma triggers that lead to coughing, wheezing, and other respiratory issues. Evaluate your home for potential indoor air quality risks by clicking through this interactive house tour.

Chemical irritants include air fresheners, scented candles, cleaners, and paints, all of which can persist long after the chemical is used.

According to the CDC, secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which hundreds are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer.

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, therefore the only way to fully protect non-smokers is to eliminate smoking in indoor spaces.