That lead can result in long term heatlh problems – so officials went on an education swing today.
Palmerton Area Junior High School was filled with community members Saturday afternoon who all share one thing in common – concern about lead exposure.
"We have young children and we know that lead can be hearmful especially as children are growing up," said Palmerton Resident, Clare Papay.
The Pennsylvania Department of health provided free screenings to the community..specifically looking for levels of lead in blood.
This follows a recent federal study showing the community may have been exposed to lead from air pollution in Palmerton.
"With them cleaning up and adding more and tossing the dirt around and ading this extra dirt in, I really wasn’t surpirsed," said Palmerton Resident, Lydia Shotwell.
Lydia Shotwell has been an area resident nearly her entire life.
She tells Eyewitness News she decided to come get her free screening for a number of reasons.
"Being pregnant is my number one reason why I came out.
According to the state department of health, it will take a week or two to get the results back.