| Dangers of Lead Paint in Your Home | | | | Information Center (NLIC) to find out about |
| List of guidelines from EPA | | | | testing soil for lead. |
| There are still homes built prior to 1978 that could | | | | If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, |
| have a lead paint hazard. The federal government | | | | you can take some immediate steps to reduce |
| banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. | | | | your family's risk:o If you rent, notify your |
| Lead can be found: | | | | landlord of peeling or chipping paint.o Clean up paint |
| In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from | | | | chips immediately.o Clean floors, window frames, |
| exterior paint, or other sources such as past use | | | | window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a |
| of leaded gas in cars.) | | | | mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water |
| Household dust. (Dust can pick up lead from | | | | and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner |
| deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked | | | | made specifically for lead. REMEMBER: NEVER MIX |
| into a home.) | | | | AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER |
| Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing | | | | SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS.o |
| with lead or lead solder. Call your local health | | | | Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after |
| department or water supplier to find out about | | | | cleaning dirty or dusty areas.o Wash children's |
| testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or | | | | hands often, especially before they eat and |
| taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid | | | | before nap time and bed time.o Keep play areas |
| of lead. If you think your plumbing might have | | | | clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed |
| lead in it: | | | | animals regularly.o Keep children from chewing |
| The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it | | | | window sills or other painted surfaces.o Clean or |
| home on your hands or clothes. Shower and | | | | remove shoes before entering your home to |
| change clothes before coming home. Launder | | | | avoid tracking in lead from soil.o Make sure |
| your work clothes separately from the rest of | | | | children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron |
| your family's clothes. | | | | and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products. |
| Old painted toys and furniture. | | | | Children with good diets absorb less lead. |
| Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or | | | | In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good |
| lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. | | | | nutrition:o You can temporarily reduce lead |
| Lead smelters or other industries that release lead | | | | hazards by taking actions such as repairing |
| into the air. | | | | damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to |
| Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and | | | | cover soil with high lead levels. These actions |
| lead dust, which you can't always see, can be | | | | (called "interim controls") are not permanent |
| serious hazards. Peeling, chipping, chalking, or | | | | solutions and will need ongoing attention.o To |
| cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs | | | | permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire |
| immediate attention. Lead-based paint may also | | | | a certified lead "abatement" contractor. |
| be a hazard when found on surfaces that children | | | | Abatement (or permanent hazard elimination) |
| can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. | | | | methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing |
| These areas include: Windows and window sills, | | | | lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting |
| Doors and door frames, Stairs, railings, and | | | | over the hazard with regular paint is not enough.o |
| banisters and Porches and fences. | | | | Always hire a person with special training for |
| Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry | | | | correcting lead problems--someone who knows |
| scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms | | | | how to do this work safely and has the proper |
| when painted surfaces bump or rub together. | | | | equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified |
| Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and | | | | contractors will employ qualified workers and |
| objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can | | | | follow strict safety rules set by their state or the |
| re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or | | | | federal government.o Contact the National Lead |
| walk through it. | | | | Information Center(NLIC) for help with locating |
| Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in | | | | certified contractors in your area and to see if |
| bare soil or when people bring soil into the house | | | | financial assistance is available. |
| on their shoes. Contact the National Lead | | | | |