Structures built before 1988 have the potential for lead in internal plumbing. Depending on pipe materials, lead may be found in water that has sat undisturbed in household plumbing for 4-6 hours and could pose serious health risks if ingested.
Out of an abundance of caution, children under 6, pregnant people, and breastfeeding people who have consumed tap water while the City of Asheville water customers were under a Boil Water Notice, and have concerns, should consult their healthcare providers. If they do not have a doctor, they can call the Buncombe County Blood Lead Information Line at 828-250-5205.
Buncombe County Public Health has set up a Blood Lead Information Line for healthcare providers and the public to call with any questions or concerns. Callers can leave a message, and a public health nurse will call back as soon as possible.
More information on lead awareness and water testing can be found by visiting ashevillenc.gov/leadawareness.
Below is a Q&A with Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, Buncombe County Medical Director.
Who is at risk of the health effects of lead exposure?
- Children less than 6 years old are at greatest risk of health problems from lead exposure. This is because their bodies are growing rapidly.
- Pregnant people and breastfeeding people can pass lead to their developing fetus during pregnancy or to their babies when breastfeeding.
- Formula prepared using contaminated water also can result in a baby being exposed to lead.
What are the possible health effects from lead exposure?
- No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.
- Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to negatively affect a child’s health.
- Most children with any lead in their blood have no obvious immediate symptoms.
- Exposure to lead can cause adverse health effects such as:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Slowed growth and development
- Learning and behavior problems
- Hearing and speech problems
- The effects of lead poisoning can be permanent and disabling.
Who should have blood lead testing?
- If your children under the age of 6 years old may have been exposed to lead by drinking water or eating food or beverages made with the water, you should talk to your child’s healthcare provider about getting your child a blood lead test.
- All children enrolled in Medicaid already are required to get tested for lead at 1 and 2 years of age. They also are required to get tested if they are age 2 – 5 years and have no record of ever being tested.
- For children not enrolled in Medicaid, the CDC recommends focusing testing efforts on high-risk neighborhoods and children.
- If you are pregnant and think you may have been exposed to lead, talk to your prenatal care provider about getting a blood lead test.
What happens when lead enters the body?
- Once a child swallows lead, their blood lead level rises quickly.
- Once a child’s exposure to lead stops, the amount of lead in their blood decreases gradually.
- The body releases some of the lead through urine, sweat, and feces.
- Lead is also stored in bones.
- Many things affect how a child’s body handles exposure to lead, including the following:
- Child’s age
- Nutritional status
- Source of lead exposure
- Length of time the child was exposed
- Presence of underlying health conditions
- Lead can be stored in the bones of adults who are exposed to lead over a long time or who have had high levels of lead in their blood.
- The lead stored in the bones of adults can be released into the blood during pregnancy.
- Additionally, if a person is exposed to lead during their pregnancy, their developing fetus also can be exposed to lead.
- Lead in the blood during pregnancy can:
- Increase the risk for miscarriage
- Cause the baby to be born too early or too small
- Hurt the baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system
- Cause the child to have learning or behavioral problems
What is blood lead testing?
- During a blood lead test, a small amount of blood is taken from the finger, heel, or arm to be tested.
- Typically, for children, the testing is done with a finger-prick or heel-prick.
- It provides fast results.
- If this test result is elevated, then blood is taken from an arm vein for confirmation of the result. This test result can take a few days to come back.
- The healthcare provider who ordered the test recommends follow-up actions based on the blood lead level.
- Buncombe County Health & Human Services has a public health nurse who tracks elevated blood lead results in our county. She works with providers, individuals, and families to provide education about blood lead and ensure appropriate follow-up.