Appendix 1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

WATCH OUT FOR LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING

NOTIFICATION

TO: PURCHASERS AND TENANTS OF LOWER INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING

CONSTRUCTED BEFORE 1978

This building was constructed before 1978. There is a possibility

that most of the paint in this building contains lead-based paint.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CONCERNING

LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING

1\. Sources of Lead-Based Paint

The interiors of older homes and apartments often have layers of

lead-based paint on the walls, ceilings, window sills, doors and

door frames. Lead-based paint and primers (under-coats of

paint) may also have been used on outside porches, railings,

garages, fire escapes and lamp posts. When the paint chips,

flakes or peels off, there may be a real danger for babies and

young children. Children could eat paint chips or chew on

painted railings, window sills or other items when parents are

not around. Children could also swallow lead even if they do

not specifically eat paint chips. For example, when children

play in an area where there are loose paint chips or dust

particles containing lead, they could get these particles on

their hands, put their hands into their mouths, and swallow a

dangerous amount of lead.

2\. Symptoms of Lead-Based Paint Poisoning

Has your child been especially cranky? Is he or she eating

normally? Does your child have stomachaches or is he or she

vomiting? Does he or she complain about headaches? Is your

child unwilling to play? These may be signs of lead poisoning.

Many times there are no signs or symptoms at all. Lead

poisoning can eventually cause mental retardation, blindness and

even death.

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3\. Advisability and Availability of Blood Lead Level Screening

Many buildings built prior to 1978 contain high levels of lead

in the paint. Since you live in a building that was built

before 1978 you should take your child to the doctor or

clinic for blood lead level testing. If the test shows that

your child has an elevated blood lead level, treatment is

available. Contact your doctor or local health department for

help or more information. Lead screening and treatment are

available through the Medicaid Program for those who are

eligible.

Inform other family members and babysitters of the dangers of

lead poisoning. You can safeguard your child from lead

poisoning by preventing him or her from eating paint that may

contain lead.

4\. PHA Responsibilities

a\. Your housing authority is required to remove flaking,

peeling, cracking, chipping paint from your unit when it is

found during unit inspections and at unit turnover. The

housing agency is also required to remove flaking, peeling

paint as soon as possible after you notify them of the

condition.

b\. When you notify your housing agency that your child has a

confirmed elevated blood lead level, the housing authority

is required to test your unit for lead-based paint hazards

within 5 calendar days. The housing agency is also

required to remove all of the lead-based paint hazards

found in your unit within 14 calendar days after positive

testing. Your housing agency may choose to transfer or

assign you and your family to (a) a previously tested unit

which was found to be free of lead-based paint hazards, or

\(b\) a unit where lead-based paint hazards have been

removed, or (c) a unit which was built after 1978.

5\. Tenant and Homebuyer Responsibilities

a\. Notify PHA of Elevated Blood Lead Levels

As applicants, tenants and homebuyers of lower income

public housing, you are advised to contact your

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doctor or local clinic to have your children under 7 years

of age tested for an elevated blood lead level. If your

child is identified as having an elevated blood lead level,

you should notify the housing authority immediately of the

condition so that it may take the necessary steps to test

your unit for lead-based paint hazards and remove those

hazards where they are found.

b\. Notify PHA of Defective Paint

Young children sometimes put paint chips in their mouths,

or suck their fingers after playing on the floor where

paint chips may get on their hands. If the unit in which

you live has flaking, cracking, chipping, loose or peeling

paint you should notify the management office immediately.

The housing authority is responsible for removing flaking,

cracking, chipping, loose and peeling paint from your unit

However, if the housing authority is unable to remove the

defective paint from your unit immediately, then there some

things you can do to protect your child:

\(i\) Cover all furniture and appliances;

\(ii\) Get a broom or stiff brush and remove the loose pieces

of paint from walls, woodwork, window wells and

ceilings. Try to avoid making a lot of dust as you

clean up the paint;

\(iii\) Sweep up all pieces of paint and plaster and put them

in a paper bag or wrap them in newspaper. Put these

packages in the trash can. DO NOT BURN THEM;

\(iv\) Do not leave paint chips on the floor or in window

wells. Damp mop floors and window sills in and around

the work area to remove all dust and paint particles.

Keeping these areas clear of paint chips, dust and

dirt is easy and very important; and

\(v\) Do not allow loose paint to remain within your

children\'s reach since children may pick loose paint

off the lower part of the wall and put it in their

mouths.

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6\. Homeowner Maintenance and Treatment of Defective Lead-Based

Paint Hazards

If you are a Homeowner in the Public Housing Homeownership

Program, you should take the necessary steps to keep your home

in good shape. Water leaks from faulty plumbing, defective

roofs and exterior holes or breaks may admit rain and dampness

into the interior of your home. These conditions can damage

walls and ceilings and cause paint to peel, crack or flake.

These conditions should be corrected immediately. Before

repainting, all surfaces that are peeling, cracking, chipping or

loose should be thoroughly cleaned by scraping or brushing the

loose paint from the surface, wet scrubbing the area with a

strong detergent (high phosphate type if permitted by state or

local laws), and then repainting with two (2) coats of non

leaded paint. Instead of scraping and repainting, the surface

may be covered with other material such as gypsum wallboard, or

paneling. These coverings are intended to be permanent

barriers that will prevent any future access to lead-based paint

hazards.

Beware that when lead-based paint is removed by scraping or

sanding, a dust is created, which may be hazardous. The dust

can enter the body by either breathing or swallowing it. The

use of heat or paint removers could create a vapor or fume which

may cause poisoning if inhaled over a long period of time. The

removal of lead-based paint should take place when there are no

children and pregnant women on the premises.

SIMPLY WASHING AND PAINTING OVER DEFECTIVE LEAD-BASED PAINT SURFACES

DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE HAZARD. REMEMBER THAT YOU PLAY A MAJOR ROLE

IN THE PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING. YOUR ACTIONS AND AWARENESS

ABOUT THE LEAD PROBLEM CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

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7\. Certification

I have received a copy of the Notice entitled \"Watch Out for Lead-

Based Paint Poisoning.\"

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Housing Authority Print Full Name

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Address and Apt. \# Signature

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Date

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