ARE YOU PLANNING TO BUY, RENT, OR RENOVATE A HOME BUILT BEFORE 1978?
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called
lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if
not taken care of properly.
Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting, buying,
or renovating pre-1978 housing.
LANDLORDS have to disclose know information on lead-based paint and lead-based
paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about
lead-based paint.
SELLERS have to disclose know information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint
hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a disclosure form about
lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards.
RENOVATORS have to give you this pamphlet before starting work. (After June 1, 1999).
IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THESE REQUIREMENTS, call the
National Lead Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD.
IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LEAD FROM PAINT, DUST, AND SOIL CAN BE DANGEROUS IF NOT MANAGED
PROPERLY
FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even
before they are born.
FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of
lead in their bodies.
FACT: People can get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing
lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
FACT: People have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most
cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a
hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger
to your family.
WHERE LEAD-BASED PAINT IS FOUND
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned
lead-banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even
earlier. Lead can be found:
• In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
• In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
• Inside and outside of the house.
• In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint or other sources
such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)
______________________________________________________________________
CHECKING YOUR FAMILY FOR LEAD
To reduce our child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested
(especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix
any hazards you may have.
Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and
tend to peak 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:
Children at ages 1 and 2
Children or other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead.
Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan.
Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed.
Where Lead is Likely to Be a Hazard
Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.
Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs
immediate attention.
Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew
or that get a lot of wear and tear. These areas include:
• Windows and window sills
• Doors and door frames
• Stairs, railings, and banisters
• Porches and fences
Lead Dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or 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.
Lead in the soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil
into the house on their shoes. Call you state agency to find out about testing soil for
lead.
Checking your home for Lead Hazards
You can get your home checked for lead hazards in one of two ways, or both:
A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in
your home. It won’t tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.
A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as
peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these
hazards.
Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying
lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and
effectively. Contact your state lead poisoning prevention program for more information,
call 1-800-424-LEAD for a list of contacts in your area.
Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:
Visual inspection of paint condition and location.
A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
Lab tests of paint samples.
Surface dust tests.
Home tests kits for lead are available, but studies suggest they are not always accurate.
Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.
What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family
If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to
reduce your family’s risk:
If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up paint chips immediately.
Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a 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.
• Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
• Wash children’s hands often, especially before they eat and before naptime and
bed time.
• Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals
regularly.
• Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
• Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from
soil.
Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as
spinach and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead.
How To Significantly Reduce Lead Hazards
In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition:
You can temporarily reduce lead hazards 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.
To permanently remove lead hazards, you must 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 enough.
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 of by the federal government.
Call your state agency for help with locating certified contractors in your area and to see
if financial assistance is available.
Remodeling or Renovating a Home With Lead-Based Paint
Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovations that
disturb painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):
Have the area tested for lead-based paint.
Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to
remove 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.
Temporarily move you family (especially 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.
Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find out 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.
For More Information:
The National Lead Information Center:
Call 1-800-424-Lead to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning and for other
information on lead hazards www.epa.gov/lead and www.hud.gov/lea.
For the hearing impaired, call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-8—877-8339
and ask for The National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.
EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline:
Call 1-800-426-4791 for information about lead in drinking water.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Hotline:
To request information on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe consumer
product or product-related injury call 1-800-638-2772 or www@cpsc.gov.
State Health and Environmental Agencies:
Some cities and states have their own rules for lead-based paint activies. Check with
your state agency to see if state or local laws apply to you. Most state 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 state and local contacts on the Internet at
www.epa.gov/lead or contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.
EPA REGIONAL OFFICE IN THE MIDWEST
Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)
Regional Lead Contact
US EPA REGION 5 (DT-8J)
77 West Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604-3666
(312) 886-6003
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called
lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if
not taken care of properly.
Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting, buying,
or renovating pre-1978 housing.
LANDLORDS have to disclose know information on lead-based paint and lead-based
paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about
lead-based paint.
SELLERS have to disclose know information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint
hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a disclosure form about
lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards.
RENOVATORS have to give you this pamphlet before starting work. (After June 1, 1999).
IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THESE REQUIREMENTS, call the
National Lead Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD.
IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LEAD FROM PAINT, DUST, AND SOIL CAN BE DANGEROUS IF NOT MANAGED
PROPERLY
FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even
before they are born.
FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of
lead in their bodies.
FACT: People can get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing
lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
FACT: People have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most
cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a
hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger
to your family.
WHERE LEAD-BASED PAINT IS FOUND
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned
lead-banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even
earlier. Lead can be found:
• In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
• In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
• Inside and outside of the house.
• In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint or other sources
such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)
______________________________________________________________________
CHECKING YOUR FAMILY FOR LEAD
To reduce our child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested
(especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix
any hazards you may have.
Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and
tend to peak 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:
Children at ages 1 and 2
Children or other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead.
Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan.
Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed.
Where Lead is Likely to Be a Hazard
Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.
Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs
immediate attention.
Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew
or that get a lot of wear and tear. These areas include:
• Windows and window sills
• Doors and door frames
• Stairs, railings, and banisters
• Porches and fences
Lead Dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or 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.
Lead in the soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil
into the house on their shoes. Call you state agency to find out about testing soil for
lead.
Checking your home for Lead Hazards
You can get your home checked for lead hazards in one of two ways, or both:
A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in
your home. It won’t tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.
A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as
peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these
hazards.
Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying
lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and
effectively. Contact your state lead poisoning prevention program for more information,
call 1-800-424-LEAD for a list of contacts in your area.
Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:
Visual inspection of paint condition and location.
A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
Lab tests of paint samples.
Surface dust tests.
Home tests kits for lead are available, but studies suggest they are not always accurate.
Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.
What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family
If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to
reduce your family’s risk:
If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up paint chips immediately.
Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a 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.
• Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
• Wash children’s hands often, especially before they eat and before naptime and
bed time.
• Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals
regularly.
• Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
• Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from
soil.
Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as
spinach and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead.
How To Significantly Reduce Lead Hazards
In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition:
You can temporarily reduce lead hazards 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.
To permanently remove lead hazards, you must 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 enough.
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 of by the federal government.
Call your state agency for help with locating certified contractors in your area and to see
if financial assistance is available.
Remodeling or Renovating a Home With Lead-Based Paint
Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovations that
disturb painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):
Have the area tested for lead-based paint.
Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to
remove 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.
Temporarily move you family (especially 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.
Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find out 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.
For More Information:
The National Lead Information Center:
Call 1-800-424-Lead to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning and for other
information on lead hazards www.epa.gov/lead and www.hud.gov/lea.
For the hearing impaired, call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-8—877-8339
and ask for The National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.
EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline:
Call 1-800-426-4791 for information about lead in drinking water.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Hotline:
To request information on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe consumer
product or product-related injury call 1-800-638-2772 or www@cpsc.gov.
State Health and Environmental Agencies:
Some cities and states have their own rules for lead-based paint activies. Check with
your state agency to see if state or local laws apply to you. Most state 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 state and local contacts on the Internet at
www.epa.gov/lead or contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.
EPA REGIONAL OFFICE IN THE MIDWEST
Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)
Regional Lead Contact
US EPA REGION 5 (DT-8J)
77 West Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604-3666
(312) 886-6003
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