HUD/EPA Lead Paint Pamphlet

Protect your Family from Lead in Your Home
distributed by EPA, CPSC and HUD

Beginning in 1996, Real Estate professionals are required to provide a copy of the EPA’s Lead Based Paint pamphlet (or an approved state version) to buyers and lessees in connection with the sale or rental of pre-1978 dwelling units. For transactions involving owners of more than four residential dwellings, the distribution date begins September 6, 1996. For transactions involving four or fewer residential dwellings, this date is December 6, 1996.

This Site includes the entire text of the EPA’s pamphlet. Although the pamphlet itself is not copyrighted, this Web site is. We make no representation that supplying the contents of this site to buyers or lesees will satisfy the requirements of the law. We supply this information for its informational value only.

For more information, contact any of the licensed Real Estate Professionals including those in our professional directories.

Information contained 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.

Topics

Are you Planning to Buy, Rent or Renovate a Home built before 1978?
Lead from Paint, Dust, and Soil can be Dangerous is Not Managed Properly
Lead Gets in the Body in Many Ways
Check your Family for Lead
Where Lead Based Paint is Found
Where Lead is Likely to be a Hazard
Checking your Home for Lead Hazards
What YOU can do NOW to Protect your Family
How to Significantly Reduce Lead Hazards
Remodeling or Renovating a Home with Lead-Based Paint
Other Sources of Lead
For More Information…
State Health and Environmental Agencies
Simple Steps to Protect your Family from Lead Hazards


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.

By 1996, federal law will require that individuals receive certain information before renting, buying, or renovating pre-1978 housing:

If you want more Information on these requirements, call the National Lead Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD.


Lead from Paint, Dust, and Soil can be Dangerous is Not Managed Properly

Lead from Paint, Dust, and Soil Can be Dangerous if Not Managed Properly

If you think your home might have lead hazards, read this pamphlet to learn some simple steps to protect your family.


Lead Gets in the Body in Many Ways

1 out of every 11 children in the United States has dangerous levels of lead in the bloodstream. Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead

People can get lead in their body if they:

Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because:

Lead’s Effects: if not detected eaerly, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:


Check your Family for Lead

Get your children tested if you think your home has high levels of lead.

A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are important for:

If you child is older than 1 year, talk to your doctor about whether your child needs testing. Your doctor or health center can do blood tests. They are inexpensive and sometimes free. Your doctor will explain what the test results mean. Treatment can range from changes in your diet to medication or a hospital stay.


Where Lead Based Paint is Found

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.

Many homes build before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found:


Where Lead is Likely to be a Hazard

Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious hazards.

Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard. Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard that 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:

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 reenter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it.

Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. Call your state agency to find out about soil testing for lead.


Checking your Home for Lead Hazards

Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard.

You can get your home checked for lead hazards in one of two ways, or both:

Have qualified professionals do the work. The federal government is writing standards for inspectors and risk assessors. Some states might already have standards in place. Call your state agency for help with locating qualified professionals in your area.

Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:

Home test kits for lead are available, but recent 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:


How to Significantly Reduce Lead Hazards

Removing lead improperty can increase the hazard to your family by spreading even more lead dust around the house. Always use a professional who is trained to remove lead hazards.

In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition:

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. If possible, hire a certified lead abatement contractor. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules as set by their state or by the federal government.

Call your state agency for help with locating qualified contractors in your area and to see if financial assistance is available.


Remodeling or Renovating a Home with Lead-Based Paint

If not conducted properly, certain types of renovations can release lead from paint and dust into the air

Take precautions before you begin remodeling or renovations that disturb painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):

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 in the section “What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family” in this brochure.


Other Sources of Lead

While paint, dust, and soil are the most common lead hazards, other lead sources also exist.


For More Information…

The National Lead Information Center

Call 1-800-LEAD-FYI to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning. For other information on lead hazards, call the center’s clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD. For the hearing impaired, call, TDD 1-800-526-5456 (FAX: 202-659-1192, Internet: EHC@CAIS.COM).

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 a product-related injury call 1-800-638-2772. (Internet: info@cpsc.gov). For the hearing impaired, call TDD 1-800-638-8270.


State Health and Environmental Agencies

Some cities and states have their own rules for lead-based paint activities. Check with your state agency (listed below) 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.

Alabama(205) 242-5661
Alaska(907) 465-5152
Arkansas(501) 661-2534
Arizona(602) 542-7307
California(510) 450-2424
Colorado(303) 692-3012
Connecticut(203) 566-5808
Washington, DC(202) 727-9850
Delaware(302) 739-4735
Florida(904) 488-3385
Georgia(404) 657-6514
Hawaii(808) 832-5860
Idaho(208) 332-5544
Illinois(800) 545-2200
Indiana(317) 382-6662
Iowa(800) 972-2026
Kansas(913) 296-0189
Kentucky(502) 564-2154
Louisiana(504) 765-0219
Massachusetts(800) 532-9571
Maryland(410) 631-3859
Maine(207) 287-4311
Michigan(517) 335-8885
Minnesota(612) 627-5498
Mississippi(601) 960-7463
Missouri(314) 526-4911
Montana(406) 444-3671
Nebraska(402) 471-2451
Nevada(702) 687-6615
New Hampshire(603) 271-4507
New Jersey(609) 633-2043
New Mexico(505) 841-8024
New York(800) 458-1158
North Carolina(919) 715-3293
North Dakota(701) 328-5188
Ohio(614) 466-1450
Oklahoma(405) 271-5220
Oregon(503) 248-5240
Pennsylvania(717) 782-2884
Rhode Island(401) 277-3424
South Carolina(803) 935-7945
South Dakota(605) 773-3153
Tennessee(615) 741-5683
Texas(512) 834-6600
Utah(801) 536-4000
Vermont(802) 863-7231
Virginia(800) 523-4019
Washington(206) 753-2556
West Virginia(304) 558-2981
Wisconsin(608) 266-5885
Wyoming(307) 777-7391

EPA Regional Offices

Your Regional EPA Office can provide further information regarding regulations and lead protection programs.

CPSC Regional Offices


Simple Steps to Protect your Family from Lead Hazards

If you think your home has high levels of lead: