Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Staff

 Nellie Benitez, Lead Outreach  Worker 
Telephone: 919-545-8340

Julie Goodwin, RN, Public Health Nurse Supervisor
Telephone: 919-742-5641 ext. 4250

Lisa Morgan, REHS, Lead Inspector                                               

Telephone: 919-545-8309

The Chatham County Public Health Department is dedicated to increasing lead testing of children under six and eliminating lead risks in the county. Studies show that no amount of lead in the blood is safe.  Even at lower levels lead in the blood can adversely affect a child’s development and behavior.

Affected children may show lower intelligence, antisocial behavior beginning around or before adolescence, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia later in life. All children should be tested for lead poisoning at one and two years using a simple blood test. Your pediatrician or nurse practitioner can perform the test using a small blood sample taken from a finger. If that first test is elevated, a more accurate test uses a blood sample from the arm.

Lead can cause complications for women and their fetuses during pregnancy such as high blood pressure, premature birth, low birth weight, and although rare, lead can cause your pregnancy to end in a miscarriage or a still birth.

You may be exposed to lead in your home when:

•  Home was built before 1978 when lead was used in paint
  
•  Residents are exposed to lead in the workplace
  
•  Home includes vinyl mini-blinds manufactured before 1997
  
•  Children play with or come in contact with toys, car keys, spices that contain lead  

 The Environmental Health Division can be reached from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at (919) 542-8208.