The Lead Task Force of Buncombe and Henderson Counties will hold a meeting and presentation on the dangers of adult lead exposure from noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at UNC Asheville's Owen Hall Conference Room. Sheila Higgins, State Occupational Health Nurse Consultant in the N.D. Department of Health and Human Services' Branch of Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology, will be the featured speaker. She will discuss the lead exposure adults encounter at their worksites, including high-risk industries, and will explain the statewide tracking system. The event is free and open to the public.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the adverse health effects of elevated exposure to lead for adults include damage to the cardiovascular, central nervous, reproductive, hematologic and renal systems. Studies have reported that adults can exhibit nonspecific symptoms, including irritability, fatigue, headaches, sleep problems, hypertension and depression. Lead also readily crosses the placenta in pregnant women and can have adverse effects on the baby.

For more information or to register, call UNC Asheville's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 828/251-6104 or email Lblock@unca.edu.