Terri Vellios

Printed with vegetable oil based inks on recycled paper

(minimum 50% postconsumer) process chlorine free.

they seem healthy.

often.

surfaces.

peeling or chipping paint.

when remodeling or renovating (call 1-800-424-

LEAD for guidelines).

temperature heat gun, scraper, or sandpaper on

painted surfaces that may contain lead.

United States

Environmental

Protection Agency

United States

Consumer Product

Safety Commission

United States

Department of Housing

and Urban Development

paint that contains high levels of lead (called leadbased

paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can

pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.

encouraged to check for lead (see page 6)

before renting, buying or renovating pre-

1978 housing.

information before renting, buying, or renovating

pre-1978 housing:

on lead-based paint and lead-based

paint hazards before leases take effect.

Leases must include a disclosure about

lead-based paint.

on lead-based paint and lead-based

paint hazards before selling a house. Sales

contracts must include a disclosure about

lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10

days to check for lead.

feet of painted surfaces have to give you

this pamphlet before starting work.

children and babies even before they

are born.

have high levels of lead in their bodies.

breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by

eating soil or paint chips containing

lead.

lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based

paint that is in good condition is not a

hazard.

can increase the danger to your family.

If you think your home might have lead

hazards, read this pamphlet to learn some

simple steps to protect your family.

1

2

renovations that disturb painted

surfaces).

covered with lead dust in their mouths.

lead.

systems are more sensitive to the damaging

effects of lead.

lead.

their hands and other objects in their

mouths. These objects can have lead

dust on them.

system prior to pregnancy would expose

a fetus to lead through the placenta

during fetal development.

3

It is important to know that even exposure

to low levels of lead can severely harm

children.

disorder, and decreased intelligence.

problems.

While low-lead exposure is most

common, exposure to high levels of

lead can have devastating effects on

children, including seizures, unconsciousness,

and, in some cases, death.

Although children are especially

susceptible to lead exposure, lead

can be dangerous for adults too.

pregnancy.

damage or death.

Brain or Nerve Damage

Slowed

Growth

Hearing

Problems

Reproductive

Problems

(Adults)

Digestive

Problems

4

banned lead-based paint from housing in

1978. Some states stopped its use even

earlier. Lead can be found:

both private and public housing.

lead from exterior paint or other sources

such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)

Children's blood lead levels tend to increase

rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and

tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.

Consult your doctor for advice on testing

your children. A simple blood test can

detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are

usually recommended for:

have been exposed to high levels of lead.

your state or local health screening plan.

Your doctor can explain what the test results

mean and if more testing will be needed.

it is in good condition, and it is not on an

impact or friction surface, like a window. It

is defined by the federal government as

paint with lead levels greater than or equal

to 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, or

more than 0.5% by weight.

is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

It may also be a hazard when found on surfaces

that children can chew or that get a

lot of wear-and-tear, such as:

heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together.

Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people

touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum,

sweep, or walk through it. The following two federal standards have

been set for lead hazards in dust:

including carpeted floors.

when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. The following

two federal standards have been set for lead hazards in residential

soil:

the yard.

The only way to find out if paint, dust and soil lead hazards exist is

to test for them. The next page describes the most common methods

used.

5

6

You can get your home tested for lead in

several different ways:

home has lead-based paint and where it

is located. It won’t tell you whether or not

your home currently has lead hazards.

currently has any lead hazards from lead

in paint, dust, or soil. It also tells you what

actions to take to address any hazards.

inspection tells you if your home has

any lead hazards and if your home has

any lead-based paint, and where the

lead-based paint is located.

Hire a trained and certified testing professional

who will use a range of reliable

methods when testing your home.

and location.

machine.

samples.

There are state and federal programs in

place to ensure that testing is done safely,

reliably, and effectively. Contact your state

or local agency (see bottom of page 11) for

should not rely on these kits before doing

renovations or to assure safety.

7

mop or sponge with warm water and a

general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner

made specifically for lead. REMEMBER:

NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH

PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY

CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS.

pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals

regularly.

spinach and dairy products.

Children with good diets absorb

less lead.

8

In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good

nutrition:

by taking actions such as repairing damaged

painted surfaces and planting grass

to cover soil with high lead levels. These

actions (called “interim controls”) are not

permanent solutions and will need ongoing

attention.

you should hire a certified lead “abatement”

contractor. Abatement (or permanent

hazard elimination) methods

include removing, sealing, or enclosing

lead-based paint with special materials.

Just painting over the hazard with regular

paint is not permanent removal.

Always hire a person with special training

for correcting lead problems—someone

who knows how to do this work safely and

has the proper equipment to clean up

thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ

qualified workers and follow strict safety

rules as set by their state or by the federal

government.

Once the work is completed, dust cleanup

activities must be repeated until testing

indicates that lead dust levels are below the

following:

for floors, including carpeted floors;

Call your state or local agency (see bottom

of page 11) for help in locating certified

professionals in your area and to see if

financial assistance is available.

Take precautions before your contractor or

you begin remodeling or renovating anything

that disturbs painted surfaces (such

as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):

lead-based paint. These actions create

large amounts of lead dust and fumes.

Lead dust can remain in your home

long after the work is done.

children and pregnant women)

out of the apartment or house until

the work is done and the area is properly

cleaned. If you can’t move your

family, at least completely seal off the

work area.

about other safety measures by calling

1-800-424-LEAD. Ask for the brochure

“Reducing Lead Hazards When

Remodeling Your Home.” This brochure

explains what to do before, during,

and after renovations.

If you have already completed renovations

or remodeling that could have

released lead-based paint or dust, get

your young children tested and follow

the steps outlined on page 7 of this

brochure.

9

10

plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call

your local health department or water

supplier to find out about testing your

water. You cannot see, smell, or taste

lead, and boiling your water will not get

rid of lead. If you think your plumbing

might have lead in it:

• Use only cold water for drinking and

cooking.

• Run water for 15 to 30 seconds

before drinking it, especially if you

have not used your water for a few

hours.

could bring it home on your hands or

clothes. Shower and change clothes

before coming home. Launder your work

clothes separately from the rest of your

family’s clothes.

release lead into the air.

pottery or stained glass, or refinishing

furniture.

“greta” and “azarcon” used to treat an

upset stomach.

11

how to protect children from lead poisoning

and for other information on lead hazards.

To access lead information via the web, visit

lead in drinking water.

To request information on lead in

consumer products, or to report an

unsafe consumer product or a product-

Some cities, states, and tribes have

their own rules for lead-based paint

activities. Check with your local agency to

see which laws apply to you. Most agencies

can also provide information on finding a

lead abatement firm in your area, and on

possible sources of financial aid for reducing

lead hazards. Receive up-to-date address

and phone information for your local contacts

or contact the National Lead Information

For the hearing impaired, call the Federal Information

the phone numbers in this brochure.

12

Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island,

Vermont)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 1

Suite 1100 (CPT)

One Congress Street

Boston, MA 02114-2023

1 (888) 372-7341

Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 2

2890 Woodbridge Avenue

Building 209, Mail Stop 225

Edison, NJ 08837-3679

(732) 321-6671

Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC,

West Virginia)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 3 (3WC33)

1650 Arch Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(215) 814-5000

Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,

South Carolina, Tennessee)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 4

61 Forsyth Street, SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-8998

Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 5 (DT-8J)

77 West Jackson Boulevard

Chicago, IL 60604-3666

(312) 886-6003

Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 6

1445 Ross Avenue, 12th Floor

Dallas, TX 75202-2733

(214) 665-7577

Nebraska)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 7

(ARTD-RALI)

901 N. 5th Street

Kansas City, KS 66101

(913) 551-7020

Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 8

999 18th Street, Suite 500

Denver, CO 80202-2466

(303) 312-6021

Nevada)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. Region 9

75 Hawthorne Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 947-4164

Washington)

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 10

Toxics Section WCM-128

1200 Sixth Avenue

Seattle, WA 98101-1128

(206) 553-1985

Your Regional EPA Office can provide further information regarding

regulations and lead protection programs.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

201 Varick Street, Room 903

New York, NY 10014

(212) 620-4120

Consumer Product Safety Commission

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 2944

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-8260

Consumer Product Safety Commission

1301 Clay Street, Suite 610-N

Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 637-4050

13

Please contact HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard

Control for information on lead regulations, outreach efforts, and

lead hazard control and research grant programs.

Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

451 Seventh Street, SW, P-3206

Washington, DC 20410

(202) 755-1785

Your Regional CPSC Office can provide further information regarding

regulations and consumer product safety.

U.S. EPA Washington DC 20460 EPA747-K-99-001

U.S. CPSC Washington DC 20207 June 2003

U.S. HUD Washington DC 20410

This document is in the public domain. It may be reproduced by an individual or

organization without permission. Information provided in this booklet is based

upon current scientific and technical understanding of the issues presented and

is reflective of the jurisdictional boundaries established by the statutes governing

the co-authoring agencies. Following the advice given will not necessarily provide

complete protection in all situations or against all health hazards that can

be caused by lead exposure.