Q: What should I know about my lead in my child’s blood?
A: The CDC’s lead poisoning guidelines have recently changed. Learn more about the updated lead reference value.
Q: How to protect my child from lead poisoning?
A: Review these 10 ways to protect your child from lead poisoning in English, Bhutanese, Nepalese, Spanish, Arabic, Dari and Pashto.
Q: How and when do I get my child tested for lead poisoning?
A: Consult with your child’s pediatrician. The Allegheny County Health Department requires testing for lead exposure for all children at 9-12 months of age, and again at 24 months. If a child is older than 24 months, testing may be done as soon as possible after 24 months but before 72 months of age or entry into kindergarten, whichever is sooner.
Q: I believe my child may suffer from lead poisoning. Where can we get help?
A: A confirmed blood lead level of less than 5 micrograms/deciliter gets any child between 0-3 years old access to Early Intervention services and entitles the family to Allegheny County Health Department’s Lead Home Investigations program for a full risk assessment to identify source(s) of lead exposure and receive best practices to minimize risk.
If your child is between 0-3, contact the Alliance for Infants & Toddlers by calling 412-885-6000 for more information. If your child is 3-5 years old, contact the Allegheny Intermediate Unit – DART program by calling 412-394-5904.
Q: I am unsure if my home has lead hazards. Where can I get an evaluation?
A: The Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program provides free Lead Risk Assessments, education, and up to $12,000 of interim controls and lead abatement services. Eligible families must: be homeowners or renters in Allegheny County, live in a home built before 1978, have a child under 6 who lives in or regularly visits the home OR a pregnant woman who lives in the home, and meet income limits.
If you’re interested in participating, please call ACTION-Housing at 412-227-5700, email alleghenylead@actionhousing.org, or fill out the online form.
For general program questions, please call Jennifer Saks at 412-350-1032 or email her at jennifer.saks@alleghenycounty.us.
Q: I found lead hazards in my home. Who can fix this?
A: Allegheny County Health Department’s Lead Safe Homes program provides offers qualifying homeowners and renters in Allegheny County free home lead-paint testing and hires a certified lead abatement contractor to stabilize or eliminate lead-paint. Visit their website to learn more.
Q: How do I know if my child’s toys are safe?
A: Women for a Healthy Environment offers free XRF (X-ray fluorescence) testing of household/personal items such as toys, dishware or jewelry. Items can be brought to their office at 401 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm or staff can meet residents off-site by appointment. Contact Hanna Beightley, Healthy Homes Coordinator, at 412-404-2872 or info@WomenForAHealthyEnvironment.org to schedule a testing or with any general lead inquiries.
Q: How do I know if my child’s school, child care center and after-school programs are safe?
A: Children spend 1000 hours a year in school and child care. Visit 1000hoursayear.org to learn more about the effects of lead in schools and child care centers.
Q: I am looking to buy a home. How can I ensure it is lead-safe?
A: Currently, there is no lead hazard housing registry for Allegheny County. Home sellers are not required to test for lead, but home buyers can request lead testing as part of inspections. To have your home properly inspected before moving in, visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for certified firms.
Q: How can I get my water tested?
A: Water testing can be done through Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) if you are a City of Pittsburgh resident. Request your free testing kit here.
Q: Where can I get my soil tested?
A: Allegheny County Conservation District holds free soil testing events in various communities. Visit their website for upcoming events.
Q: My landlord isn’t doing anything about the lead in my rental. Who can help?
A: There are several resources for rental help
Q: How can I help prevent lead poisoning in my work?
A: Always follow the EPA’s lead-safe work practices when doing any renovation or repair work that may disturb any dust, plaster or painted surface.
Q: Where can I learn more about lead-safe demolition?
A: Watch our video to learn about lead-safe demolition.
Q: Where can I sign up for lead-safe contractor training?
A: Learn more and stay up to date with the EPA’s courses and recommendations.
Need help? Here are resources and contacts to help pediatric providers care for children and families.
Call Women for a Healthy Environment if you have any questions or concern about lead at 412-404-2872. We can provide lead education and referral to resources.
Learn about Allegheny County Universal Blood Lead Level Testing Requirements here.
Early Intervention
Children 0-3 years old with a confirmed blood lead level of ≥3.5μg/dL qualify for early intervention services. Contact the Alliance for Infants & Toddlers by calling 412-885-6000.
For children three to five years old, contact the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, DART Program by calling 412-394-5904.
Allegheny County Health Department
ACHD’s Housing program provides a phone consultation about how to mitigate exposure to lead and identify hazards in the home for families with children under six years old with confirmed elevated blood lead levels of 3.5 ug/dl or above. Call 412-350-4046 to see if you qualify.
For children under six years of age with a confirmed blood lead level of 5 µg/dl and above, ACHD offers a free home inspection. The goal of this inspection is to help identify any sources of lead exposure in the home.
Sometimes a child will test positive for lead, but their levels will not be high enough for us to conduct a full inspection. For children under six years of age with a confirmed blood lead level 1 µg/dl to 4 µg/dl, we encourage the family to call the Housing and Community Environment Program at 412-350-4046 for education, referrals, and advice on how to lessen their child’s exposure to lead.
We encourage anyone with questions or concerns about lead in the home to call ACHD’s Housing and Community Environment program at 412-350-4046. They can provide educational literature and advice over the phone about how to reduce the risk of lead exposure.
Lead Safe Homes Program
The Allegheny Lead-Safe Homes Program offers income-qualifying homeowners and renters in Allegheny County free lead-paint testing and remediation by a lead-safe certified contractor.
To be eligible, families must live in a home in Allegheny County built prior to 1978. If there is a child with an elevated blood lead level living in the home, and the family is under the income limits, they would qualify. Any family with a child under six years of age that lives in or visits the home regularly and households with a pregnant person also qualify.
Income Limits by Household Size
|
Number of people living in the home |
Annual income |
|
1 |
$56,700 |
|
2 |
$64,800 |
|
3 |
$72,900 |
|
4 |
$80,950 |
|
5 |
$87,450 |
|
6 |
$93,950 |
To start an application, call 412-227-5700 or visit: alleghenycounty.us/leadsafeprogram
Additional Resources
To find a EPA Certified, Lead Professional Inspector, Risk Assessor, or Contractor visit the EPA website or the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry website. Always check with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to confirm the certification status for any lead professional you consider hiring. Visit their Lead Occupations page (look for the subject heading “H. Individuals Certified in Lead-Based Paint Occupations”).
If you are a PWSA customer, call PWSA 412-255-8987 between 8am and 6pm, Monday – Friday or email LeadHelp@pgh2o.com with your name, address, and phone number to request a test kit.
If you are a PA American Water or Wilkinsburg- Penn Joint Customer, please contact their customer service departments for lead testing. PA American Water can be reached at 1-800-565-7292 and Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint at 412-243-6200.
If you have lead in your water, consider replacing your lead service line.
Get a NSF certified water pitchers and filters remove lead from water. Look for a pitcher or filter that specifically says it removes lead on the box or label. Keep in mind that filter cartridges need to be replaced frequently.
The Allegheny County Conservation District holds regular pop-up events where you can get soil samples tested for lead levels. Visit www.accdpa.org or call 412-241-SOIL.
The National Lead Information Center (NLIC) Hotline provides the general public and professionals with information about lead, lead hazards, and their prevention. Call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
Community Justice Project can provide legal guidance on tenant rights. There are certain standards under habitability that require landlords and property owners maintain their properties. Contact Kevin Quisenberry at kquisenberry@cjplaw.org or 412-434-5814.
