Lead Poisoning: Risk Checklist
Community Justice Project is a legal partner in the Get the Lead Out campaign to reduce lead poisoning affecting Pittsburgh-area families.
Hundreds of children in Allegheny County are diagnosed with lead poisoning each year. Exposure to lead, especially in young children, can lead to long-term health, behavioral, and learning problems.
Ask yourself these questions to find out if your family is at a heightened risk of lead poisoning.
Does your household include children or pregnant women? Young children and pregnant women are at an especially great risk of harm due to lead poisoning.
Was your home built before 1978? Most homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint.
Is your child exhibiting any symptoms of lead poisoning? Common symptoms of lead poisoning in children include learning difficulties, behavior problems, developmental delays, irritability, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, stomach pain, and seizures.
Do you live in or near Allentown, Beltzhoover, Bluff, Braddock, Elliott, Hazelwood, Homewood, Knoxville, Mount Oliver, McKeesport, Point Breeze, Turtle Creek, Versailles, Wilkinsburg, Wilmerding, or the Northside? These areas have the highest rates of lead poisoning in Allegheny County.
Does your child play outside in areas containing bare soil? Bare soil near older homes or near recently demolished buildings can contain lead. Children who play in or around this soil may be exposed to dangerous levels of lead.
Does your drinking water contain lead? Old pipes are often made of lead. If you live in an old home, you may want to get your water tested for lead. If you live in Pittsburgh you can request a free water test kit.
Do you work with lead in your job? Painters, construction workers, auto mechanics and employees in similar fields are often exposed to lead on the job, and can bring this toxin into the home on their clothes and shoes.
Does your child already have an Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBLL)? Your child should be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2. An Elevated Blood Lead Level indicates lead poisoning.
If you answered “yes” to some of these questions,
fill out our elevated blood lead levels contact form
or call us at 412-434-6002 or en Español 412-580-8143 for legal advice
For more information on lead poisoning, see Get the Lead Out Pittsburgh.
Your child can get a lead exposure test at an Allegheny County Health Department blood testing facility.