§ 130A-131.9A. Investigation to identify lead poisoning hazards. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 130A‑131.9A. Investigation to identify lead poisoning hazards.

(a)        When the Departmentlearns of confirmed lead poisoning, the Department shall conduct aninvestigation to identify the lead poisoning hazards to children. TheDepartment shall investigate the residential housing unit where the child withconfirmed lead poisoning resides. The Department shall also investigate thesupplemental addresses of the child who has confirmed lead poisoning.

(a1)      When the Departmentlearns of an elevated blood lead level, the Department shall, upon informedconsent, investigate the residential housing unit where the child with theelevated blood level resides. When consent to investigate is denied, the childwith the elevated blood lead level cannot be located, or the child's parent orguardian fails to respond, the Department shall document the denial of consent,inability to locate, or failure to respond.

(b)        The Departmentshall also conduct an investigation when it reasonably suspects that a leadpoisoning hazard to children exists in a residential housing unit or child‑occupiedfacility occupied, regularly visited, or attended by a child less than sixyears of age.

(c)        In conducting aninvestigation, the Department may take samples of surface materials, or othermaterials suspected of containing lead, for analysis and testing. If samplesare taken, chemical determination of the lead content of the samples shall beby atomic absorption spectroscopy or equivalent methods approved by theDepartment. (1997‑443,s. 15.30(b); 2003‑150, s. 4.)