Overview of the Program
The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ program has three sections:
- Lead in drinking and cooking water
- Lead-based paint
- Asbestos
Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ helps North Carolina public schools and child care facilities complete activities to identify and prevent exposure to lead in drinking and cooking water, lead-based paint, and asbestos. Participant education and training are cornerstones of our program.
Identifying Hazards
Identifying lead in water hazards: Facility staff are trained to collect samples of drinking and cooking water at their facility to help identify any lead in water hazards. Samples are collected in accordance with the U.S. EPA “3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities.” After completing the online training, facility staff will coordinate internally to collect samples after the building’s water has not been used for at least 8 hours. We recommend sampling on a Monday morning before any water is used in the building, since many facilities are not occupied on the weekends. RTI supplies sample kits which include sample collection bottles, instructions for how to collect water from each tap used for drinking or cooking, and a pre-paid shipping label for shipment back to RTI International Laboratory for analysis. See our videos on how to collect and ship samples, or read more about the process.
Identifying lead-based paint hazards: Although participatory science is a cornerstone of the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ program, facility staff do not collect any samples related to lead-based paint hazards. Facilities will fill out a short survey and upload documentation about building construction date(s) and/or any prior lead-based paint assessments. Our program uses this information to determine the next steps for your facility: either performing an on-site risk assessment or exempting your facility from this program requirement. If our team’s review of your uploaded documentation indicates your facility needs a lead-based paint risk assessment, we will help coordinate a visit from a certified risk assessor. They will assess lead-based paint hazards, which may include taking samples of paint, dust, and soil. Any collected samples will be analyzed at RTI International Laboratory. See our videos on how to gather required documents and information, or read more about this process here.
Identifying asbestos hazards: Although participatory science is a cornerstone of the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ program, facility staff do not collect any samples related to asbestos hazards. Facilities will fill out a short survey and upload documentation about building construction date(s), any prior asbestos inspections, and/or asbestos management plans. Our program uses this information to determine the next steps for your facility: either performing an on-site inspection or exempting the facility from this program requirement. If our team’s review of your uploaded documentation indicates your facility needs an asbestos inspection or re-inspection, we will help coordinate a visit from an accredited asbestos professional. They will inspect the condition of building materials at your facility and may collect samples to identify if these materials contain asbestos. Any collected samples will be analyzed by an RTI-designated laboratory. See our videos on how to gather required documents and information, or read more about this process for schools or for child care facilities.
Eliminating Hazards
Eliminating lead in water hazards: Along with results, we provide tap-specific recommendations for affordable methods to reduce or remove lead in drinking and cooking water. Remember: there is no safe level of lead exposure! Depending on the level of lead detected in samples, actions might include:
- No-cost methods, such as discontinuing use of the tap with elevated lead, if sufficient other drinking water faucets are available.
- Low-cost methods, such as replacing an old faucet with a new one, or installing and maintaining a certified water filter on the tap.
- Other mitigation activities, such as replacement of service lines, pipes, and other plumbing fixtures.
Note: We recommend everyone practice clean water habits, regardless of the level detected. This includes using only cold water for drinking and cooking purposes, running drinking and cooking water taps for several minutes after holidays or weekends to clear out standing water in the pipes, and contacting a plumber if you have a clog or decreased flow at a tap.
If a drinking or cooking water tap has lead levels at or above the state hazard level of 10 parts per billion (ppb), the program will work with facility staff and licensed professionals (like plumbers) to take steps that reduce or eliminate this hazard at no cost to facilities, while funding lasts. Facilities must restrict access to any taps at or above the state hazard level and provide alternative drinking water—like another tap that did not exceed the state hazard level or access to bottled water—until mitigation and follow-up testing is complete.
Eliminating lead-based paint hazards: If lead-based paint hazards are identified, facilities will be notified and they can choose to restrict access to the area or to mitigate the hazard. Mitigation activities may include interim controls, abatement (enclosure, encapsulation, component removal or chemical stripping), renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) activities, specialized cleaning, operations and maintenance, or other actions. Public schools can request reimbursement from NC DHHS for up to 2/3rds of the costs of lead-based paint mitigation activities and mitigation activities are fully covered for child care facilities, while funding is available. You can read more about funding and covered activities here, by visiting our FAQs, or by visiting the NC DHHS website on reimbursement and covered mitigation activities.
Eliminating asbestos hazards: If asbestos hazards are identified, facilities will be notified and they can choose to restrict access to the area or to mitigate the hazard. Mitigation activities may include repair & maintain, remove, isolate, enclose, replace, encapsulate, or operations and maintenance of the materials. Public schools can request reimbursement from NC DHHS for up to 2/3rds of the costs of asbestos mitigation activities and mitigation activities are fully covered for child care facilities, while funding is available. You can read more about funding and covered activities here, by visiting our FAQs, or by visiting the NC DHHS website on reimbursement and covered mitigation activities.