United States

Environmental Protection

Agency

Prevention, Pesticides,

and Toxic Substances

(7404)

Lead In Your Home:

A Parents Reference Guide

EPA 747-B-98-002

June 1998
Contents

Foreword ..............................................................iii

1. Lead in Your Home: A Parents Guide............. 1

How Lead Has Commonly Been Used ........................................... 1

Finding Lead Hazards in Your Home.............................................. 2

Other Sources of Lead Hazards...................................................... 3

Health Effects of Lead..................................................................... 4

Lead Poisoning Prevention............................................................. 6

2. Reducing the Risk of Lead in Your Home ........ 7

Testing for Lead ............................................................................. 7

How to Reduce Your Familys Risk of Leading Poisoning.............. 10

Routine Cleaning and Maintenance ............................................. 11

New Rules for Sellers and Landlords............................................. 14

3. Protecting Your Children From

Lead Poisoning................................................17

Building Good Habits and Safe Surroundings ............................... 17

Testing You and Your Family for Lead Poisoning .......................... 18

Choosing a Child-Care Provider................................................... 19

What Your Children Need to Know ............................................. 20

4. What You Need to Know Before Working

on Your Home .................................................23

Equipment ................................................................................... 23

How to Work Safely ..................................................................... 25

5. Remodeling and Renovation ...........................27

Replacing or Working on Windows ............................................. 28

Preparing Surfaces for New Paint or Wallpaper............................ 28

Removing or Replacing Carpeting................................................ 29

Performing Duct and Plumbing Work .......................................... 29

Performing Minor Repairs............................................................ 30

Working on the Exterior of Your Home........................................ 31
6. Interim Controls .............................................33

Safe Management of Lead-Based Paint in Your Home ................. 33

Removing Dust ............................................................................ 34

Repainting Lead-Painted Surfaces ................................................ 37

Repairing Friction and Impact Surfaces ........................................ 37

Preventing Access to Soil Hazards ................................................ 38

7. Abatement .......................................................41

Lead Abatement: What It Is, Who Should Do It........................... 41

Replacement................................................................................ 42

Enclosure ..................................................................................... 43

Encapsulation ............................................................................... 43

Paint Removal.............................................................................. 44

Soil Abatement............................................................................. 45

Help From a Risk Assessor or a Contractor.................................... 45

8. Cleaning Up Lead Waste ................................. 47

Daily Cleanup .............................................................................. 47

Personal Cleanup ......................................................................... 48

Final Cleanup ............................................................................... 48

Appendixes ..........................................................51

A. For More Information ............................................................. 51

B. State Lead Program Contacts................................................... 53

C. EPA Regional Lead Contacts ................................................... 57

D. Abatement Guidelines for Your Contractor............................. 59

Glossary .............................................................. 65
Foreword

To heighten awareness about lead poisoning prevention, the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed Lead in Your

Home: A Parents Reference Guide. The Agency believes this is an

essential resource for anyonefrom owners to tenantsconcerned

about the dangers of lead in their home and environment. This

Guidebook provides Agency recommendations on how you can reduce

your familys risk of lead exposure and prevent lead poisoning, ranging

from simple steps you can do now to more rigorous procedures that will

permanently get rid of lead hazards in your home.

Throughout the Guidebook, the term home is used to refer to your

homewhether you own or rent a house, apartment, or other type of

dwelling. In addition, the Guidebook has been designed so you do not

need to read every chapter. Read the Quick Tips listed at the beginning

of each chapter. They highlight important information provided in

that chapter. Turn to the appendix for a list of hotlines,

organizations, and people with further information on lead-related

issues. By being aware of the danger lead can pose to you

and your family, you are taking the first step in keeping them

safe from its hazards.
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LEAD IN YOUR HOME: A PARENTS GUIDE 1

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1

Lead in Your Home:

A Parents Guide

Lead exposure can be dangerous, especially to children ages 6

and younger.

Exposure to lead-contaminated dust, not lead-based paint, is the

most common way to get lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning can be prevented.

Lead is highly toxic. Exposure to it can be dangerous, especially for

children who are 6 or younger. But lead is also stable and easy to work

with, so it has been used for many purposeseven in our homes. It is

important that every parent know where lead can be found, and how to

control it. It is also important to know what to do if you or a member of

your family is exposed to lead.

How Lead Has Commonly Been Used

Lead is a metal that has been mined for thousands of years. In the past,

it was used to make common items found in or near homes. These

items include paint, gasoline, water pipes, and food cans.

> Lead in paint. Manufacturers used to put lead

pigments in paint because the pigments make the

paint last longer and cling to surfaces better. But

problems can occur later. Paint that is disturbed or

that is breaking down with age can contaminate

dust. Lead-based paint is no longer used in

homes, on childrens toys, or on household

furniture. In 1978, the Consumer Product

Safety Commission (CPSC) banned its sale for use in residences. That

same year the CPSC also made it illegal to paint childrens toys and

household furniture with lead-based paint.

> Lead in gasoline. Oil companies used to add lead to gasoline to

stop engine knocking in automobiles, but dangerous lead particles

escaped into the air through auto exhaust systems. In 1978, the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced the amount of lead

allowed in gasoline.

QUICK TIPS
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1 LEAD IN YOUR HOME: A PARENTS GUIDE

> Lead in household pipes. Lead used in fixtures, pipes, or pipe

soldering can leach into water that flows through the pipes. In 1986,

and again in 1988, Congress changed the Safe Drinking Water Act

to restrict the use of lead in pipes, solder, and other components

used in public water systems and residential and nonresidential

plumbing. Unfortunately, lead may still be found in pipes today.

> Lead in food cans. The lead solder used to seal food cans can

mix with the food in the can. The United States banned the use of

lead solder in cans in 1995, but it is still used in many other

countries. Lead solder may be found in cans imported to the

United States.

Finding Lead Hazards in Your Home

Changes in the law have greatly reduced the amount of lead in our

homes and in the air today. But it is important to remember that lead

does not break down over time. Therefore, you should know how to

identify sources of lead in your home and how to keep your family safe.

Common Lead Hazards

The most common household lead hazards are lead-based paint, lead

dust, and contaminated soil:

> Lead-based paint is a hazard if it is peeling, chipping, chalking, or

cracking. Even lead-based paint that appears to be undisturbed can

be a problem if it is on surfaces that children 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.

Even surfaces that have been covered with new

paint or another covering can expose older leadbased paint layers when they become cracked or

chipped. The older your home is, the more likely

it is to contain lead-based paint.

> Dust can become contaminated with lead

when lead-based paint is dry scraped or sanded. Dust can also

become contaminated when painted surfaces bump or rub

together. Lead chips and dust can gather on surfaces and objects

that people touch or that children put into their mouths.

Lead-based paint that

is in good condition is

usually not a hazard.

Eighty-three percent of

private housing and

86 percent of public housing

built prior to 1980 contain

some lead-based paint.
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LEAD IN YOUR HOME: A PARENTS GUIDE 1

> Soil can become contaminated when exterior lead-based paint

from houses, buildings, or other structures flakes or peels and gets

into the soil. Soil near roadways may also be contaminated from past

use of leaded gasoline in cars. Avoid these areas when planting

vegetable gardens.

Other Sources of Lead Hazards

Although less common, a number of other lead hazards can be found

in homes:

> Older plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, lead pipes, and pipes

connected with lead solder, can contaminate drinking water.

Older water well pumps made with brass or bronze parts that

contain lead can also contaminate drinking water. The amount of

lead in your water depends on the types and amounts of minerals in

the water, how long the water stays in the pipes, the amount of

wear in the pipes, the waters acidity, and its temperature. Lead can

leach into water at any temperature, but the amount of lead can be

much greater when the water is hot or warm, so dont drink or cook

with water from the hot faucet. Carbon, sand, and cartridge filters

do not remove lead from water, although some filters are certified

for lead removal.

Boiling your water will not

get rid of the lead.
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1 LEAD IN YOUR HOME: A PARENTS GUIDE

> Some imported, non-glossy, vinyl miniblinds can be a lead hazard,

especially to young children. Sunlight and heat can break down the

blinds and may release lead-contaminated dust. Children who touch

the miniblinds and put their fingers in their mouths may ingest the

lead particles. Its best to remove these blinds if you have children

who are 6 or younger. If you purchase new miniblinds, look for

products with labels that say New Formulation, non-leaded

formula, no lead added, or New! Non-leaded vinyl

formulation.

> Painted toys and household furniture made before 1978 may be

painted with lead-based paint. Do not let children chew on any

older, painted toys or furniture, such as cribs or playpens.

> Lead-glazed ceramic ware, pottery, and leaded crystal can

contaminate food and liquids stored in them.

> If you are exposed to lead at your job site, you could bring lead

dust home on your clothes, shoes, hair, or skin.

> Lead smelters or other industries can release lead into the air.

> Hobbies such as making pottery, working with stained glass, or

refinishing furniture can expose you to lead hazards. Try not to work

on these hobbies in your home.

> Folk remedies that contain lead can cause lead poisoning. Two

examples are Greta and Azarcon, which are often used in

Hispanic and Asian communities to treat an upset stomach. Another

is Pay loo ah, which is a red powder used to treat a rash or fever.

Putting lead into a human body is dangerous, and it does not cure

such ailments.

Health Effects of Lead

Lead is poisonous because it interferes with some of the bodys basic

functions. A human body cannot tell the difference between lead and

calcium, which is a mineral that strengthens bones. Like calcium, lead

remains in the bloodstream for a few weeks. Then it is absorbed into

the bones, where it can collect for a lifetime.

Lead can affect anyone, but children ages 6 and younger face special

hazards. In part, this is because the bodies of children in this age group

develop rapidly. It is also because young children tend to put things in

their mouths. More on this in Chapter 3.

Q. How does lead get into

my body?

A. It enters the body

through the mouth or nose.

Lead is not absorbed

through the skin.
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LEAD IN YOUR HOME: A PARENTS GUIDE 1

It is important to know that even exposure to low levels of lead can

permanently affect children. In low levels, lead can cause

> Nervous system and kidney damage.

> Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and decreased

intelligence.

> Speech, language, and behavior problems.

> Poor muscle coordination.

> Decreased muscle and bone growth.

> Hearing damage.

While low-level 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. In adults, high lead levels can cause

> Increased chance of illness during pregnancy.

> Harm to a fetus, including brain damage or death.

> Fertility problems (in men and women).

> High blood pressure.

> Digestive problems.

> Nerve disorders.

> Memory and concentration problems.

> Muscle and joint pain.

In the United States,

approximately 900,000

children ages 1 to 5

have a blood-lead level

exceeding the level of

concern.
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1 LEAD IN YOUR HOME: A PARENTS GUIDE

Lead poisoning is not easy to detect. Sometimes no symptoms occur,

and sometimes the symptoms are the same as those of more common

illnesses. Some of the early signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in

children are

> Persistent tiredness or hyperactivity.

> Irritability.

> Loss of appetite.

> Weight loss.

> Reduced attention span.

> Difficulty sleeping.

> Constipation.

Lead Poisoning Prevention

Lead cannot be seen. Lead cannot be felt. But lead poisoning can be

prevented. In most parts of the United States, state and local agencies

are available to help you prevent lead poisoning. However, it is up to

you to keep your family safe from lead hazards in your home.

It is never too soon to start protecting your family from lead hazards.

The best thing you can do is lower the chances of exposure to lead in

your homeboth now and in the future. You can begin right now, by

taking these steps:

1. Keep your home clean.

2. Wipe up any paint chips with a wet sponge or rag.

3. Ensure that your family members eat well-balanced meals.

More day-to-day tips for reducing exposure risks and the reasons why

they help can be found in Chapters 2 and 3. Measures you can take to

reduce lead exposure temporarily or to eliminate the problem forever

are described in Chapters 6 and 7.

Q. How do I know if I have

lead poisoning?

A. The only way to know if

you have lead poisoning is

to get a blood test from

your doctor. Many people

mistake the symptoms of

lead poisoning for other

common illnesses, such

as a cold or the flu.

Sometimes there are no

symptoms at all.
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REDUCING THE RISK OF LEAD IN YOUR HOME 2

2

Reducing the Risk of

Lead in Your Home

Some simple stepslike keeping your home clean and feeding your

family a well-balanced dietwill go a long way in preventing lead

poisoning.

Going one step further and getting your home tested for lead can

also help you and your family. This kind of testknown as a risk

assessmentwill tell you where lead hazards are and what to do

about them.

Lead-based paint is usually not harmful if it

> is not chipping or flaking AND

> is not bumped, rubbed, or chewed.

Lead-based paint can create harmful lead dust if it is chipping,

flaking, bumped, rubbed, or chewed.

Testing for Lead

Should I Get My Home Tested?

If your home was built before 1978 and you have children ages 6 or

younger, consider testing. A good time to do it is before you move into

a new home or have a baby. You may also want to test your home if it

has painted surfaces that are in poor condition. Before you begin home

repair or remodeling projects, test any painted surfaces that will be

removed or remodeled. Remember, disturbing lead-based paint can

create a lead-poisoning hazard.

How Can I Get My Home Tested?

To test your home for lead, have either a risk assessment or a lead

inspection done. Read on to find out which is better for your situation.

> A risk assessment. A risk assessor tells you if your home contains

sources of lead exposuresuch as peeling paint or lead dust. The

risk assessor will give you a report that identifies lead hazards and

ways to control them. If you suspect you have a lead problem, a

risk assessment is usually the most appropriate way to test for

lead hazards.

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QUICK TIPS
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2 REDUCING THE RISK OF LEAD IN YOUR HOME

> An inspection. A lead inspector reveals the lead content of every

painted surface in your home. An inspection will not tell you

whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it. The

purpose of the inspection is to test each type of painted surface in

your home and answer two questions:

(1) Is lead-based paint present?

(2) If lead-based paint is present, where is it located?

Its important to know where lead-based paint is in your home so

that, if disturbed by you or your contractor, additional lead hazards

arent created. An inspection is usually recommended if you plan to

remodel, renovate, or disturb paint. It is also advised if you plan to

abate the lead-based paint in your home.

Whether you hire an inspector or a risk assessor to do your testing,

check his or her background. Those who have worked with public

housing authorities and childhood lead poisoning prevention programs

are usually well qualified. Beginning in August 1999, Federal law will

require risk assessors and inspectors to be certified. For a list of certified

lead inspectors and risk assessors in your area, call your state lead

contact (see Appendix B) or one of these two organizations:

National Lead Service Providers Listing System

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD), the Lead Listing is a list of service providers who have received

training from a state-accredited training provider. Get a list by calling

(888) LEADLIST or by visiting the Lead Listing Internet site at

www.leadlisting.org.

National Lead Information Centers Clearinghouse

Maintained by EPA, the clearinghouse sends testing and laboratory

information to those who request it. The phone number is

(800) 424LEAD.

What Will I Get From the Testing?

Risk assessment: The risk assessor will identify lead-based paint

hazards and suggest ways to reduce or control the hazards. For

example, a risk assessor may suggest that you clean or dust more often,

repair deteriorated lead-painted surfaces, or plant grass in areas with bare

soil. The assessor may also suggest that you replace old windows, re-cover

old floors, or remove soil. The risk assessors report will show you what

methods you can use to control hazards. It will also list an estimated cost of

other actions you may take to prevent or control hazards.
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REDUCING THE RISK OF LEAD IN YOUR HOME 2

Lead inspection: The inspector will give you a report that tells you

whether your home contains lead-based paint and where it is

found. The report will not tell you whether it is a hazard or how it

should be treated.

What Are Home Test Kits?

Home test kits use chemicals to detect lead in paint, soil, and dust.

Some kits can test water, dishes, glasses, and ceramics. A reaction

occurs when the chemicals in the kit are exposed to lead.

Does the Federal Government Recommend

Home Test Kits?

No. The Federal Government does not currently recommend home

test kits to detect lead in paint, dust, or soil. Studies show the kits are

not reliable enough to tell the difference between high and low levels

of lead.

What About Testing for Lead in Water?

If you think your water might contain lead, call either the EPA Safe

Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 4264791 or your local health

department or water supplier to find out about testing your water.

Meanwhile, use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Run tap water

for 15 to 30 seconds (or until it feels much colder on your hand) before

drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for several hours.

What About Testing for Lead in Dishes, Glasses, and

Ceramics?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can tell you how to best test

for lead in dishes, cups, glasses, and other items. Contact the FDA at

(800) FDA4010 for information on testing these items.

Am I Required to Do Anything After Testing?

You may not be required to do anything, but read about the situations

described below to see if either one applies to you:

> Some states and localities require the parents of children with high

levels of lead in their blood to have the lead hazards abated by a

certified contractor. (See Chapter 7 and Appendix D for more

information on abatement.)

> If you are a home seller or a landlord, you must reveal any known

lead-based paint hazards to potential buyers or renters. (For more

information on this, see page 14.)

Do not rely on home test

kits. Studies show that

they are not always

accurate.
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2 REDUCING THE RISK OF LEAD IN YOUR HOME

If you decide to hire a professional firm to control lead hazards, you

may want to hire someone other than the person who did the testing.

How to Reduce Your Familys

Risk of Lead Poisoning

What Can I Do Now to Protect My Family?

If you think your home has lead-based paint, take these simple steps to

help protect your family:

> Keep your home clean by washing floors, window frames, window

sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop or a sponge with a

solution of water and an all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner

made specifically for lead to clean up dust. Clean up paint chips

using a wet sponge or rag. (For information on repairing chipped

surfaces, see Chapter 6.)

> Completely rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning

dirty or dusty areas.

> Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to

avoid tracking in lead from soil.

> Have children play in grassy areas

instead of soil.

> Never allow children to play under

windows or around painted surfaces

that often rub together or get bumped.

> Make sure children wash their hands

after playing outside and before eating

or going to bed.

> Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and

stuffed animals regularly.

> Keep children from chewing on painted surfaces, such as

window sills, cribs, or playpens.

> Make sure you and your family eat a well-balanced diet that is low

in fat and high in calcium and iron. Include foods such as fish,

green vegetables, milk, and cheese. (More on why this helps in

Chapter 3.)

> Use cold water for drinking or cooking since lead is more likely to

leach into warm or hot water.

> If you rent property, tell your landlord about peeling or

chipping paint.
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REDUCING THE RISK OF LEAD IN YOUR HOME 2

How Can I Reduce or Get Rid of the Lead-Based Paint

Hazards in My Home?

In addition to the day-to-day steps outlined in the previous section, you

can prevent lead poisoning by using either interim controls, abatement,

or both.

> Interim controls. Interim controls are treatments that temporarily

reduce the risk of exposure to lead hazards. For example, you can

repair damaged painted surfaces or plant grass to cover soil. (For

more information on interim controls, see Chapter 6.)

> Abatement. Abatement is the permanent elimination of lead-based

paint hazards. The four methods below are for abatement of

structural components in housing.

Replacement. The removal of lead-painted itemssuch as

windows, doors, and trimand the installation of new, lead-free

items.

Enclosure. The covering of lead-painted surfaces with a stiff

materialsuch as paneling or wallboardto prevent lead dust

from getting into the environment. Enclosure also prevents

contact with the lead-based paint.

Encapsulation. The covering of lead-painted surfaces with a

special liquid coating. Once it dries, the coating prevents contact

with the lead-based paint and the spread of lead dust.

Paint removal. The removal of paint done either in your home

or at a paint stripping facility. Methods often used include wet

scraping, wet planing, or chemical stripping.

You can perform many simple interim controls yourself, butbecause

performing an abatement can be dangerousonly a certified contractor

should perform an abatement. Call your state lead contact (see

Appendix B) or the HUD Lead Listing at (888) LEADLIST for a list of

certified contractors in your area.

Routine Cleaning and Maintenance

It is very important to care for the lead-painted surfaces in your home.

Lead-based paint in good condition is usually not harmful.

What Causes Lead Dust?

Certain household activities are likely to disturb lead-painted surfaces

and contaminate dust, including repeatedly opening and closing

windows and bumping furniture or other objects against painted walls.

Dust can also become contaminated during many home improvement

Q. What is the difference

between interim controls

and abatement?

A. Interim controls

temporarily reduce lead

hazards. They may solve the

problem, at least until the

condition of the affected

area worsens. If that

happens, the hazard needs

to be reevaluated.

Abatement permanently

eliminates the lead hazard.

Do not try to perform an

abatement in your home

yourself. Always use a

certified contractor. If not

properly performed, an

abatement can actually

increase the risk

of exposing your family

to lead.
activities. If you must perform any of the activities that follow, do them

carefullyand dont do them often! These activities include

> Nailing, drilling, or screwing into lead-painted surfaces.

> Prying painted surfaces apart.

> Cutting, sawing, or chopping lead-painted surfaces.

> Tearing out walls.

> Making holes in walls or ceilings to access pipes or install electrical

outlets.

> Scraping, sanding, brushing, or using a heat gun on painted surfaces

before repainting. Heat guns should not be warmed above

1100° F. If heated above this temperature, lead-based paint

can give off toxic fumes.

For more information on safe work practices when repairing and

remodeling lead-painted surfaces, see Chapter 4.

How Do I Prevent Lead Dust?

Follow three important rules when dealing with lead-based paint:

> Do not dry scrape or sand most lead-painted surfaces. Instead,

wet scrape areas by misting the surface with water before and

during scraping. (More on this in Appendix D.) Limit dry scraping to

areas that cannot get wet, such as those around electrical outlets.

> Try to control dust during work on lead-painted surfaces by using

the equipment and following the precautions listed in Chapter 4.

> Use a wet sponge or a mister to dampen and wipe down surfaces

when cleaning. Never dry sweep or dust lead-painted surfaces.

What Are the Best Ways to Clean Dust?

There are ways to clean your home that will help you reduce or prevent

your familys exposure to lead dust. Here are some tips on how to clean

and how not to cleanyour home. Its best to follow these steps weekly.

Cleaning Uncarpeted Floors

Do use

> Damp or wet mopping.

> Standard sponge or string type mops and an all-purpose cleaner

or a cleaner made specifically for lead.

> Standard vacuum cleaners if no visible dust or

debris from chipping or flaking paint is present.

Although the lead-based

paint in your home may be

in good condition, if it is on

a surface that is often

rubbed, bumped, or

chewed, it can easily peel

and flake and can be

harmful.
Dont use

> Mops with a scrubber strip attached.

> Powered buffing or polishing machines.

> Vacuums with beater bars that may wear

away the painted surface.

Cleaning Carpets and Rugs

Do use

> Wet scrubbing methods to remove stains.

> Steam cleaning methods.

> Standard vacuum cleaners if no visible dust or debris from chipping

or flaking paint is present.

Dont use

> Dry sweeping of surface dust and debris.

> Shaking or beating of carpets and rugs.

Cleaning Walls

Do use

> Soft cloths to wet wipe walls.

> All-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.

Dont use

> Steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive cleaners.

> Solvent cleaners that may dissolve paint.

Cleaning Other Painted Surfaces

Do use

> Soft cloths.

> All-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.

Dont use

> Abrasive cleaners and scouring pads.

> Solvent cleaners that may dissolve the paint.

> Excessive rubbing of spots to remove them.

Dusting

Do use

> Disposable, non-abrasive dusting cloths or dusters.
New Rules for Sellers and Landlords

Lead-based paint can be found on the painted surfacesinside and

outsideof many residences built before the 1978 ban. The U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that

83 percent of private housing and 86 percent of public housing built

prior to 1980 contain lead-based paint. In addition, the older the home,

the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint. Thats because leadbased paint was widely used during the first several decades of the

20th century. It was not until the 1950s that the use of lead-based

paint in homes began to decline noticeably. During the

1950s, latex paintwhich seldom contains leadbecame

the dominant paint for interior walls. Although the use of

lead-based paint in homes continued to decline throughout

the 1960s and 1970s, its use was not stopped altogether

until it was banned in 1978.

To help protect people against lead hazards in homes,

EPA and HUD developed the Real Estate Disclosure

Rule. As of December 6, 1996, the owner of any home

built before 1978 must follow guidelines set out by the

Rule and inform possible buyers and renters about

known lead-based paint hazards in the home.

If you plan to buy a home built before 1978, the seller must

> Tell you about any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint

hazards in the home.

> Give you any records or reports about lead-based paint hazards in

the home.

> Give you a copy of the EPA pamphlet titled Protect Your Family

From Lead in Your Home. The pamphlet briefly describes lead

hazards and lead poisoning.

> Give you a 10-day opportunity to test the home for lead.

> Include certain warning language in the sales contract and a signed

statement verifying that all requirements have been met.

> Keep the signed statement for 3 years.

The Real Estate

Disclosure Rule requires

that the owner of any

home built before 1978

inform pontential buyers

and renters about known

lead-based paint hazards

in the home.
If you plan to buy a home

built before 1978, the

seller must give you 10

days, or another mutually

agreeable period, to

conduct a lead inspection.

If you plan to rent a home

built before 1978, the

owner does not have to

give you an opportunity to

test for lead.

The seller is not required to

> Test the home for lead.

> Remove any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards

discovered during any testing that you have conducted.

If you plan to rent housing built before 1978, the landlord must

> Tell you about any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint

hazards in the home.

> Give you any records or reports about lead-based paint hazards in

the home.

> Give you a copy of the EPA pamphlet titled Protect Your Family

From Lead in Your Home. The pamphlet briefly describes lead

hazards and lead poisoning.

> Include certain warning language in the rental contract and a signed

statement verifying that all requirements have been met.

> Keep the signed statement for 3 years.

The landlord is not required to

> Test the home for lead.

> Remove any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards

discovered during any testing that you have conducted.

> Give you 10 days to test for lead.
3

Protecting Your

Children From Lead

Poisoning

A child does not have to eat paint chips to get lead poisoning.

It is more common for a child to get lead poisoning by swallowing

lead dust.

Children who eat healthy foods are less likely to get lead poisoning.

Your family, especially your children, should be tested for lead. It is

the only way to detect lead poisoning.

Building Good Habits and Safe Surroundings

A child does not have to eat paint chips to get lead poisoning. It is more

common for a child to swallow lead dust or soil that contains lead from

paint. How does this happen? First, dust or soil settles on the hands or

toys of children as they play. Then, as children commonly do, they

put their hands and their toys in their mouths, and they swallow the

dust or soil.

Good habits and a clean home will go a long way toward reducing the

risk of exposure to lead. Good food can lessen the effects of exposure.

As a parent, you have a responsibility to help your children develop

good habits. You also have a responsibility to do what you can to

provide your children with good nutrition and safe surroundings. Here

are guidelines you can follow every day:

> Make sure your children eat at least three meals a day. Less

lead is absorbed when children have food in their systems.

> Give your children foods high in iron and calcium, such as milk,

cheese, fish, peanut butter, and raisins. When a child does not have

enough iron or calcium in his or her body, the body mistakes lead

for these nutrients. A diet lacking protein, vitamin C, and zinc may

also cause increased blood-lead levels.

> Avoid giving your children fried and fatty foods. These foods

allow the body to absorb lead faster. Cut down on fat by baking,

broiling, or steaming food.

By performing some

simple, everyday tasks, you

can reduce your childrens þ exposure to lead. 3

þ2

þ1

QUICK TIPS
> Dont store food or liquid in lead crystal glassware or imported

or old pottery.

> Teach children to wash their hands before they eat or sleep.

> Make sure your children do not have access to peeling paint

and do not chew on painted surfaces such as cribs, playpens, or

window ledges.

> Keep your home clean. At least once a week, wash areas such as

hard surface floors, baseboards, and window sills, especially if

your home was built before 1978. Use a solution of water and an

all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.

> Wash childrens toys, bottles, and pacifiers often, and always

wash them after they fall on the floor. Stuffed toys in particular

accumulate dust and should be washed often.

> Encourage your children to play in grassy areas instead of dirt,

which sticks to fingers and toys. Also, do not let them eat dirt.

> Teach your children about the dangers of lead and their role in

keeping themselves safe. Use stories, role-playing, and songs to help

your children recognize sources of lead and learn prevention

behaviors. Explain how good nutrition prevents lead poisoning, and

help them choose healthy foods.

Testing You and Your Family

for Lead Poisoning

The best thing to do for your child is to test the level of lead in his

or her body. This is done using a simple blood test. Your doctor or your

local health center can perform the test and explain the results.

Here are some tips on when to test, and how often:

> If your child is at risk of lead exposure, have the child tested at the

age of 6 months. (A child is at risk of lead exposure iffor

examplehe or she lives in a home built before 1978 that has

peeling or chipping paint, or if the adults in the home work with

lead.) Repeat the test every 6 months until the age of 2 years. After

that, have the child tested once a year until age 6.

> If your child is not at risk of lead exposure, have the child tested

for the first time at the age of 1 year, and again at age 2.

If your child has been tested and has a blood-lead level at or above 10

micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl), you may need to take certain

preventive measures. In some cases, when lead poisoning is severe, a

drug treatment called chelation can be used. Chelation gradually

removes lead from the body. It should be only administered under the

strict supervision of a physician.
When your doctor gives you the results of your blood test, use the

following chart. It will help explain what the numbers mean.

The best thing to do for

any family memberof any

agewho may have been

exposed to lead is to have

the level of lead in that

persons body checked.

Choosing a Child-Care Provider

Although your home may be free of lead-based paint hazards, your

child could still be exposed elsewhere. It is important that any place in

which your child spends more than 10 hours a week be free of lead

hazards. If you take your child to a day-care center, look around the

inside and the outside of the day-care center for lead hazards.

When checking the facility, look at

> Interior painted areas. Examine walls and interior surfaces to see

if the paint is cracking, chipping, or peeling.

> Exterior painted areas. Check exterior paint as well; it can flake

off and contaminate nearby soil where children may play.

> Surrounding areas. Be sure there are no large structures nearby

with peeling or flaking paint that could contaminate the soil around

play areas. Examples include bridges and water towers.

> Cleaning practices. Make sure the staff washes any pacifiers, toys,

or bottles that fall on the floor. Also, make sure the children are

made to wash their hands thoroughly after playing outside and

before eating or sleeping.

> Play areas. Look to see if areas where children play are dust-free

and clean.

> Old painted toys and furniture. Make sure the paint is not

cracking, chipping, or peeling.

If your doctor tells you

that the results are . . . You should . . .

09 micrograms Continue routine testing. Not considered lead poisoning.

per deciliter (ug/dl)

1014 ug/dl Rescreen frequently and consult with your doctor about prevention

measures. (See Lead Poisoning Prevention in Chapter 1.)

1519 ug/dl Determine the lead source and seek advice about proper diet.

2044 ug/dl Obtain a medical checkup, determine the lead source, and

seek advice about proper diet. Children may need medical

treatment (chelation).

Above 44 ug/dl Get immediate care. Considered serious lead poisoning.
Dont put things

other than food

in your mouth.

Dont eat too many

fried or fatty foods.

Eating too many fatty foods will

increase the amount of lead

that your body stores.

Dont be afraid to

visit your doctor.

Your doctor can tell you if

you have lead in your body.

What

Your

Children

Need to

Know

Lead can make young

children very sick. It is

important to teach

them how to prevent

lead poisoning. These

pictures will help you

show your children

how to stay safe

and healthy.
Wash your

hands often.

Always wash your hands

before eating.

Play in grassy areas.

Do not play in dirt!

Sometimes, dirt contains lead

and can make you sick.

Eat healthy foods.

Healthy food is good for your

body, but did you know that

you are less likely to get

sick from lead if you eat

healthy food?

Make sure your

parents wash

your toys.
23

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR HOME 4

4

What You Need to

Know Before Working

on Your Home

Using the right equipment when working with lead will keep you

and your family safe from dangerous lead dust.

One of the most important pieces of equipment to use is a

respirator with a HEPA filter on it. The respirator and filter will

remove lead particles from the air you breathe.

Another important piece of equipment is a type of thick plastic

sheeting called six-mil polyethylene plastic sheeting. The plastic

must cover all work areas to prevent lead dust from spreading

throughout your home.

Equipment

Before beginning a remodeling, renovation, or interim control project, it

is important to plan. For example, decide where you will begin and how

long the project will take. It is also important to get the right equipment

to protect you and your family from lead exposure. The following section

will explain the equipment you will need and how to use it.

> NIOSH-certified respirator with a HEPA (High-Efficiency

Particulate Air) filter. You should wear a properly fitted respirator

equipped with a HEPA filter, which is always purple, when doing

any work that might create lead dust. A respirator will filter lead dust

particles out of the air you breathe. You can buy respirators at many

industrial supply centers or home improvement stores for about

$20$30. When you buy your respirator, make sure you have a fit

check. Most stores that sell respirators have salespeople who can

perform this test.

A fit check has two steps: (1) a positive-pressure fit check, and (2) a

negative-pressure fit check. Have the fit check done when you buy the

respirator, and repeat the test yourself every time you wear your

respirator.

(1) Positive-pressure fit check. Use the palm of your hand to

cover the respirator valve on your chin. Gently blow out. The

respirator should balloon out slightly and the seal should tighten.

If air leaks out and the seal does not tighten, you need to adjust

the respirator or try another size.

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QUICK TIPS
24

4 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR HOME

(2) Negative-pressure fit check. Cover the two filters with both

hands and inhale. The respirator should tighten to your face and

you should not feel any air flowing in. If you feel air coming in,

the respirator does not fit properly. You need to adjust it or try

another size.

Keep the following points in mind when buying and using

a respirator:

 Get the right size.

 If you are working with lead, your respirator must be equipped

with a HEPA filter.

 Perform negative- and positive-pressure fit checks every time you

use your respirator.

 If you have a beard, are not clean-shaven, or have a broken nose,

a respirator cannot completely seal to your face. Dust particles

can leak in.

 If you have gained or lost weight since buying your respirator, it

may no longer fit. You may have to purchase a different size.

 Never take off your respirator until after you have removed your

outer protective clothing.

> HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. This is a special type of

vacuum that removes small lead particles from floors, window sills,

and carpets, and stores them inside the vacuum cleaner. Household

vacuums will not work; their exhaust systems release the lead

particles into the air. You can rent a HEPA vacuum from stores that

carry remodeling tools. Some laboratory safety and supply catalogs

sell them starting at about $300. Rememberwhen you finish

vacuumingcarefully empty the dust collected in the vacuum

cleaner, being sure to dampen it with water first to control the

spread of the collected dust.

> Wet-sanding equipment, wet/dry abrasive paper, and wetsanding sponges for wet-methods. These can be purchased

at hardware stores.

> All-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.

A solution of water and an all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made

specifically for lead should be used to clean up lead dust from work

areas. Use one bucket for the cleaning solution and one bucket for

rinsing. Change the rinse water frequently (at least once for each

room being cleaned) and replace rags, sponges, and mops often.

Q. Should I wear any

protective gear when doing

something in my home

that may expose me to

leadsuch as repairs or

remodeling or performing

an interim control?

A. You should wear a

respirator to prevent lead

dust and particles from

getting into your lungs. It

must be equipped with a

HEPA filter. Traditional dust

masks will not prevent lead

particles from getting

into your lungs.
25

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR HOME 4

> Six-mil polyethylene plastic sheeting. This thick, plastic sheeting

is used to cover the area in which you are working. It can be

purchased at hardware stores or lumber yards. The label should say

that the plastic is made of polyethylene and is 6 mils thick.

> Duct tape. You will need duct tape to completely seal the plastic

in place.

> Protective clothing. To keep lead dust from being tracked

throughout your home, wear clothes such as coveralls, shoe covers,

hats, goggles, face shields, and gloves. These items are available

through laboratory safety equipment supply catalogs and vendors.

Inexpensive disposable suits can sometimes be purchased

at paint stores.

How to Work Safely

Whether you are renovating, remodeling, or performing interim

controls, you must follow these safeguards to prevent lead dust from

spreading throughout your home:

> Construct an airlock at the entry to the work area. The airlock

consists of two sheets of the thick plastic. One sheet is completely

taped along all four edges. The tape must extend all the way around

the top, two sides, and the floor. This plastic sheet is then cut down

the middle. The second sheet is only taped along the top and acts

as a flap covering the slit in the first sheet of plastic. If

two entryways exist, one should be completely sealed in

plastic. As an alternative, the doorway can be taped

closed on all sides.

> Remove all furniture, area rugs, curtains, food,

clothing, and other household items until cleanup is

complete. Items that cannot be removed from the

work area should be tightly wrapped with the plastic

sheeting and sealed with duct tape until all work and

cleanup is complete.

> Turn off forced-air heating and airconditioning systems when remodeling,

renovating, or performing interim controls.

Then cover the heating and air conditioning

vents with the plastic sheeting. Tape the

sheeting in place with duct tape. Windows

should be kept closed unless volatile

chemicals will be used.

Keep all children, pregnant

women, and pets away

from the work area.
26

4 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR HOME

> Cover openings, such as gaps around pipes and between

floorboards, with plastic or duct tape to prevent lead dust from

sifting down to lower floors and rising to upper floors.

> Cover exposed surfaces that you cannot remove with the plastic

sheeting. Examples include floors, carpeting, counter tops, and

shelves.

> Tape around the door seals of refrigerators to prevent dust from

getting into the food inside.

> Spray water on lead-painted surfaces to keep dust from

spreading.

Do not eat, drink, or

smoke in the work area.
27

REMODELING AND RENOVATION 5

Remodeling and

Renovation

Lead-based paint is most often found around windows, in kitchens,

and in bathrooms.

Home projects done on lead-painted areas can create harmful

lead dust.

If you think your home has lead-based paint, hire a professional to

test for lead before beginning work.

If your home has lead hazards, do not perform any renovations or

remodeling yourself. Hire a trained contractor who knows how to

work safely with lead.

Remember this important rule: Before beginning work, hire a

professional to test affected areas and see if lead hazards exist.

Call your state lead contact (Appendix B) or the HUD Lead Listing at

(800) LEAD-LIST for a list of qualified consultants in your area who

perform testing services.

If you have already completed repairs or remodeling that could

have released lead-based paint or dust

> Have your children ages 6 or younger tested for lead. Call your

doctor or your local health department to schedule testing.

> Keep children away from dust and paint chips.

> Clean up all dust and chips with wet mops and rags. Pay special

attention to floors and window troughs.

If the test reveals lead-based paint in your home, it is best to have

any repair or remodeling work done by a renovator who knows

how to protect your family from exposure to lead dust. It is best to

hire one who has training and experience in dealing with the hazards of

remodeling or renovating homes with lead-based paint.

If you chose to do this work, you should follow all of the work

practices and safety precautions in this guide. These include the

recommendations in this chapter and in Chapter 8 on cleanup.

5

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QUICK TIPS
Replacing or Working on Windows

Window sills and frames on homes built before 1978 can have high

amounts of lead-based paint. Because these items are seldom replaced,

paint tends to build up on them. To remove a window safely, follow

these basic safety precautions:

> Tape the thick, plastic sheeting (mentioned on page 25) over the

entire inside window opening.

> Cover the floor under the window with the plastic sheeting to catch

any falling dust. Also, cover the ground outside the window with the

plastic sheeting to catch dust and chips.

> Spray the window sill and frame with water to reduce the dust.

> Remove the window unit from the outside, if possible. If you must

remove it from the inside, make sure you cover all entryways into

the room in which you are working with the plastic sheeting.

> Clean up and dispose of all waste according to the directions in

Chapter 8.

Preparing Surfaces for New Paint

or Wallpaper

Preparing walls and other surfaces for painting, staining, or papering can

create lead exposure risks. Follow these good work practices to reduce

your risk of exposure to lead:

> Cover the floor and furniture with the thick, plastic sheeting.

> Avoid sanding lead-painted surfaces whenever possible. If you must

sand, use a sander with a vacuum attachment connected to a HEPA

filter-equipped vacuum cleaner or use a wet-sanding sponge.

> Wipe the area you are sanding often and rinse the sponge in a

bucket of water. Strain out any paint chips and dispose of them in

heavy-duty plastic bags.

> Wash the walls with a solution of water and an all-purpose cleaner

or a cleaner made specifically for lead. Let them dry before painting

or papering. Never power-wash or blast lead-painted surfaces inside

your home; this can contaminate dust, which can spread to other

areas of your home.

> Heat guns may be used to remove paint, but do not use those that

operate above 1100° F.

Be careful when

performing the following

renovation and remodeling

activities. They can disturb

lead-painted surfaces and

create lead dust.

>Removing paint

>Sanding

>Patching

>Scraping or tearing

down walls

>Making holes in walls or

ceilings to gain access to

pipes or install

electrical outlets

>Removing or replacing

windows, baseboards,

doors, plumbing fixtures,

heating and ventilation

duct work, or

electrical systems
Many traditional methods of preparing a painted surface for repainting,

refinishing, or restaining can poison both children and adults if the paint

is lead-based. Therefore, they should never be used by homeowners.

These methods include

> Open-flame burning or torching.

> Machine sanding or grinding without a HEPA vacuum exhaust tool.

> Uncontained hydroblasting or high-pressure washing.

> Abrasive blasting or sandblasting without a HEPA vacuum

exhaust tool.

> Use of dry scrapers, belt-sanders, propane torches, or heat guns that

operate above 1100° F.

Removing or Replacing Carpeting

If you plan to remove or replace your carpet as part of a remodeling

job, take the following steps to avoid spreading lead dust:

> Mist the entire surface of the carpet with water to keep

dust down.

> Roll the carpet inward to avoid spreading dust to other areas.

> Wrap carpet and pad in the thick, plastic sheeting. Tape seams

closed with duct tape.

> Vacuum floor with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner after

the carpet is wrapped but before you remove it.

> HEPA vacuum the floor again after you remove the carpet.

Performing Duct and Plumbing Work

Duct Work

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning ducts can collect dust over the

years. If you suspect that the dust contains lead, follow these steps when

replacing or cleaning the ducts:

> Cover the floor under the ducts with the thick, plastic sheeting to

catch any falling dust.

> Use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner to remove dust

from inside the ducts before starting work.

> Rinse the duct pieces in an area away from your home before

putting them back in place. If you are going to dispose of the old

duct pieces, follow the cleanup instructions in Chapter 8.
Plumbing

Disturbing lead-soldered pipes can knock loose pieces of lead solder

that can get into your drinking water. Follow these precautions when

working with plumbing:

> Use enough ventilation to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes from

soldering.

> Carefully throw away solder pieces in a tightly sealed trash bag.

> Use lead-free solder when working on drinking water plumbing.

> Remove faucet aerators and clean out any debris before

reinstalling them. Look carefully for grit or pieces of solder and

remove them.

> Flush the supply pipes of loose pieces of solder

by letting the water run for several minutes with the

aerators removed.

Also, consider removing older plumbing fixturessuch as

faucets, lead pipes, or pipes connected with lead solderingand

replacing them with lead-free ones. Consult a plumber or plumbing

materials distributer for more information.

Performing Minor Repairs

Performing minor repairs on lead-painted surfaces can expose you to

lead hazards. If you plan to make minor repairs, such as repairing a

door, drilling holes in walls, or sawing into painted wood or plaster,

follow these steps:

> Cover the floor under the work area with the thick, plastic sheeting

to catch any sludge or dust.

> Spray the work area surface with water to reduce the amount of

dust generated during the repair.

> To eliminate friction points on a door, first mist the door, then

remove the door to plane it. Keep door surfaces being planed wet

during repair. Replace the door when the work is complete.

> After making the repair, use a HEPA-filter equipped vacuum cleaner

to vacuum all surfaces within 5 feet of the work area.
Working on the Exterior of Your Home

Working on the outside of your home can produce dust, paint chips, larger

pieces of material, and liquids that contain lead. To prevent contaminating

the areas around your home

> Cover the ground and any flowers or plants with the thick,

plastic sheeting to catch dust and trash. It should extend at least 5

feet from the base of your house and an additional 3 feet for each

additional story. Use bricks or rocks to hold the edges of the plastic

sheeting in place.

> Cover sandboxes with the plastic sheeting. If possible, move play

equipment at least 20 feet away from the work area.

> Close all windows, including windows in adjacent dwellings,

within 20 feet of the work area. If dust gets inside, use wet mops

and rags to clean it up.

> Anchor ladders securely to the ground. Do not put them on the

thick, plastic sheeting, which can be punctured.

> Make one lead-safe entryway available to residents at all

times. Do not treat front and rear entrances simultaneously if there

is not a third doorway.

> Avoid working in windy conditions. Strong winds can blow lead

dust to areas that are not covered. If the chips and dust are blowing

off the plastic sheeting, set up a barrier to block the wind or do the

work another day.
33

INTERIM CONTROLS 6

6

Interim Controls

There are ways you can temporarily control exposure to leadbased paint, dust, and soil. They are called interim controls.

Keep in mind interim controls will not get rid of lead hazards

forever. They can, however, help cut down on the risk

of exposure.

Lead dust in your home can be harmful to you and your family.

It should be removed.

Safe Management of Lead-Based Paint

in Your Home

Interim controls are actions you can take to reduce lead hazards in

your home without hiring an abatement contractor. They are less

expensive than abatement and a good alternative if you cannot afford

abatement, but it is very important to remember that the results are only

temporary. Nevertheless, if maintained properly, interim controls can

protect you and your family for a long time. (See Chapter 7 and

Appendix D for more information on performing an abatement to

permanently contain or remove lead hazards.)

A list of interim controls follows. They can be used separately

or together:

> Removing lead dust.

> Repainting lead-based painted surfaces.

> Repairing friction and impact surfaces.

> Preventing access to soil hazards.

Interim controls provide a

useful alternative for

homes that cannot be

abated right away.

ADVANTAGES of

Interim Controls

4 Less expensive than

abatement.

4 Can be implemented

immediately.

DISADVANTAGES of

Interim Controls

8 Lead-based paint remains

in housing.

8 Continuing expense, if done

regularly.

8 Requires ongoing monitoring

of paint condition and dust

levels.

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QUICK TIPS
When Interim Controls Will NOT Work

Interim controls will not work if

> The windows, doors, porches, or interior or exterior walls are

seriously deteriorated or are subject to excessive moisture.

> The windows, doors, porches, or interior or exterior walls are not

sound (which would cause the treatment to fail rapidly).

If any child in the home has an elevated blood-lead level, many

states and localities require you to have the home abated by a

certified contractor. Contact your state lead program contact

(Appendix B) for more details.

Although interim controls will not rid your home of lead-based paint

hazards forever, they can help you reduce the risk of exposure if you do

them right and check your work often. To ensure success when you

perform any type of interim control, it is recommended that you

> Surround your work area with thick, plastic sheeting (mentioned on

page 25) to avoid spreading lead dust to other parts of your home.

> Hire a certified contractor to conduct a clearance examination once

you have finished your work. This is not required, but a contractor can

determine if you successfully completed the interim control action.

> Check your interim control work once a year. For example, if you

have performed an interim control of lead-based paint and see signs

of peeling or flaking, you may need to redo the work.

Removing Dust

Dust removal is a continuing process. You begin with an initial

treatment and then follow up with re-cleaning as needed. Dust

removal is always a part of lead hazard control measures, whether done

alone or as part of cleanup following other work.

Lead dust can be found on surfaces and in cracks throughout your

home. Windows, worn floors, carpets, and upholstered furnishings seem

to collect most of the lead dust. It is very hard to clean these surfaces

thoroughly, and dust settles on them rapidly after they are cleaned.

Lead dust in your home

can be hazardous to you

and your family and

should be removed.
 Major Dust Collectors and Potential Dust Traps

Interior Exterior

Window sills Porch swings

Floors or steps Window troughs

Cracks and crevices Steps

Carpets and rugs Exposed soil

Mats Sandboxes

Upholstered furnishings Window coverings

Radiators Heating, ventilation,

Grates and registers or air conditioners

Removing Lead Dust Inside Your Home

It is very hard to remove lead dust without specialized equipment. You

will need to use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter combined with

wet cleaning methods.

1. Vacuum the surface with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum

cleaner. This special type of vacuum will trap lead particles and

prevent them from being released back into the air. A household

vacuum will not do this. Rememberwhen you finish

vacuuming carefully empty the dust collected in the vacuum

cleaner, being sure to dampen it with water first to control the

spread of collected dust.

2. Wet clean exposed areas with a solution of water and an allpurpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead. Use one

bucket for the cleaning solution and one bucket for rinsing.

Change the rinse water frequently (at least once for each

room being cleaned) and replace rags, sponges, and mops

often. Clean the surface until no dust is visible. After

cleaning, rinse the surface with clean water and a new

sponge or cloth.

At the same time that you undertake a cleaning project, have all the

drapes and curtains professionally cleaned, and replace the filters in

heating and air-conditioning units. Have your rugs and carpets
professionally cleaned. If you cannot have them cleaned professionally

at this time, clean your carpets in the following manner:

For rugs and carpets that can be folded over:

> HEPA vacuum the carpet.

> Fold the carpet over in half and HEPA vacuum the bottom side of

the carpet.

> Vacuum the top side of the carpet again.

> If there is foam padding under the carpet, clean both sides of the

padding.

> Vacuum the floor under the carpet.

For carpets that cannot be folded over (such as wall-to-wall

carpeting):

> Vacuum the carpet in a side-to-side direction.

> Vacuum the carpet in a side-to-side direction, opposite the

first direction.

> Steam clean the carpet using a solution containing detergent

specifically made to reduce static between the carpet and lead dust.

For upholstered furnishings:

> HEPA vacuum each surface three to five times.

Removing Lead Dust From the Exterior of Your Home

Lead in exterior dust can be dangerous because it can be tracked inside

your home. You need to remove as much dust and dirt as possible from

all paved surfaces on your property (such as sidewalks, patios,

driveways, and parking areas). Removing all lead dust outside your

home may not be possible, but by following some simple steps you can

reduce your familys exposure to exterior lead dust.

RememberThese measures need to be repeated often to

maintain safe lead dust levels outside your home:

> Remove all large items, such as outdoor furniture, from the

areas you are going to clean. Dampen the areas with water to

control the spread of lead dust.

> Vacuum all hard surfaces with a HEPA filter-equipped

vacuum cleaner. Clean all surfaces continuously until

no visible dirt or dust is present.

> Carefully empty the dust collected in the vacuum

cleaner, being sure to dampen it with water first to

control the spread of the collected dust.

Because removing lead

dust from older carpets

is difficult, it may be best

to remove the carpets

altogether.
Repainting Lead-Painted Surfaces

Repainting is often used on painted surfaces that have begun to

deteriorate due to problems such as structural defects or water damage.

It is a good choice for walls and ceilings because they are not constantly

bumped or rubbed. Repainting a surface with a lead-free paint will

help to lessen lead hazards by reducing the amount of lead dust and

paint chips.

It is very important that you check the surface regularly and maintain it.

If properly maintained, you can expect your repainting effort to last

from 4 to 10 years.

Recommendations for Repainting a Lead-Painted Surface

If you plan to repaint a lead-painted surface, take the following steps:

> Make sure that what is causing the paint to deteriorate is fixed or

eliminated. This can include repairing water leaks, defective plaster,

and damaged structural parts.

> Use a high-quality paint recommended by a manufacturer for the

type of surface you are painting.

> Read and follow the manufacturers instructions for applying paint.

Repairing Friction and Impact Surfaces

Friction surfaces are surfaces that are subject to abrasion, that is,

rubbing or friction actions that cause wear on a surface. Common

examples of friction surfaces are the parts of a window that rub when

opened and closed, tight-fitting doors, cabinet doors and drawers, stairs

and hand railings, and floors. When covered with lead-based paint,

friction surfaces subject to abrasion can disturb lead-based paint.

Friction surfaces may be treated by fixing the areas that rub together.

For example, if you replace a tight-fitting door with a loose-fitting one,

you will reduce the chances that the door will create lead dust.

Impact surfaces are surfaces that stick out and tend to be bumped

or banged. The most common impact surfaces are doors and doorjambs,

door trim, doorstops, outside corners of walls, baseboards, shoe

moldings, chair rails, and stair risers. Repeated impacts can cause

small chips of paint to fall to the floor and contaminate dust. You

can reduce impact surface problems by placing barriers in front

of the surfaces. For example, put a new chair rail on a leadpainted wall. This will lessen the damage done to the wall when a

chair bumps against the rail.
How to Repair a Friction or Impact Surface

The following actions will help to reduce lead hazards from lead-painted

friction and impact surfaces in your home. Rememberwhen

performing any type of interim controlalways cover work areas with

thick, plastic sheeting and spray components with water to reduce dust.

> If you are repairing a window, remove the window. Wet scrape

the deteriorated paint. If the window trough is badly weathered,

cover with back-caulked, aluminum coil stock. Reinstall the window.

> If you are repairing a door, remove the doorstop and dispose of

it properly. (See Chapter 8.) Remove the door by pulling out the

hinge pins. Mist the door with water and plane the door to

eliminate areas that might rub together. Reinstall the door and

install a new doorstop.

> If you are repairing stairs, install a hard, cleanable covering, such

as rubber tread guards. You can install carpeting on the stairs

instead, but fasten it securely so that it does not cause abrasion.

Repaint any railings that may have deteriorated lead-based paint.

(For more information on repainting, see page 37.)

Other ways to repair friction and impact surfaces include

> Removing and replacing shoe moldings around baseboards.

> Installing new plastic or wood corner beads to abraded outside

corners.

> Removing and replacing cabinet doors, or having the paint stripped

off at a professional paint stripping plant. Strip paint from drawers

and drawer guides or plane impact points and repaint. Or, install

rubber or felt bumpers at points of friction or impact.

> Repainting porches, decks, and interior floors.

Preventing Access to Soil Hazards

Whether the source is lead-based paint or leaded gasoline, soil that is

contaminated by lead can be dangerous if children play in it or if it is

tracked into your home by people and pets. If you think that your soil

may be contaminated, have a risk assessor test it. A test will determine

what action, if any, needs to be taken.

Never plant vegetable gardens in lead-contaminated soil. You can get

lead poisoned from eating carrots and leafy vegetables grown in

leaded soil.
It is recommended that you do the following . . .

If the test results in parts

per million (ppm) are . . .

Less than 400 ppm

4005,000 ppm

Higher than 5,000 ppm

What to Do After a Soil Lead Test

Abatement (see Chapter 7 and Appendix D).

 Cover bare soil by planting grass, piling mulch or sand on top of it, or landscaping

with sod and bushes. To keep children from playing in soil near your home (which

may have higher concentrations of lead), plant bushes close to the house. In areas

near childrens playgrounds, cover soil with mulch and gravel piled at least 6 inches.

 Move play areas away from contaminated soil.

 Put doormats outside and inside all entryways. Remove your shoes before entering.

Nothing
41

ABATEMENT 7

7

Abatement

An abatement will permanently control or get rid of lead hazards

in your home.

Never perform an abatement yourself. An abatement must be done

by a trained and licensed professional.

If an abatement is done incorrectly, the chances of lead poisoning

can increase.

Lead Abatement: What It Is,

Who Should Do It

You can reduce the risk of lead exposure in your home by having a

contractor perform an abatement. An abatement is a way to

permanently contain or remove lead hazards. Merely painting or

papering over lead-painted surfaces is not abatement.

The four abatement methods for structural components are

> Replacement. Removing a part of a building that contains

lead-based paint and replacing it with a new, lead-free part.

> Enclosure. Building a new wall, ceiling, or floor over an

existing one.

> Encapsulation. Using a special type of coating to cover a

lead-painted surface.

> Paint removal. Stripping the lead-based paint off an object.

EPA strongly recommends that you use a certified abatement

contractor. If the abatement and the cleanup following it are not done

right, the chance of lead poisoning will increase. A contractor trained

in lead-based paint hazards and abatement will know how to safeguard

your family before, during, and after an abatement.

If your child has a bloodlead level at or above 10

micrograms per deciliter

(ug/dl), some states

require you to hire a

certified and trained

contractor to abate the

lead in your home. Check

with your state lead

contact (Appendix B).

þ3

þ2

þ1

QUICK TIPS
When hiring an abatement contractor, use the following checklist to

find someone who can do the job safely and correctly.

Tips for Finding and Selecting an Abatement Contractor

4 Begin by getting a list of lead contractors. Call the HUD

Lead Listing at (888) LEAD-LIST for a list of inspectors, risk assessors, and

abatement contractors who have been trained by an EPA-accredited

training provider. Your state lead contact (listed in Appendix B) can also

provide a list of contractors who perform lead activities in your area.

 4 Check your contractors credentials. Always ask to see a

contractors lead-based paint license or certificate. If the contractor is

not certified, ask to see the contractors training certificate. EPA has

developed training courses for lead-based paint professionals so ask if the

contractors training was based on EPA course materials. Beginning in

August 1999, Federal law will require lead contractors to be certified.

 4 Check your contractors references. Call at least three of your

contractors previous clients. Make sure your contractor safely and

properly completed the work requested.

Once you have hired a contractor, you should understand what your

contractor is going to do. Start by

> Reading the abatement instructions provided in Appendix D of this

guidebook.

> Having your contractor explain how the project will be carried out.

> Talking to your contractor about what precautions will be taken to

prevent you and your family from being exposed to lead.

Depending on the type of lead hazard, your contractor will choose

either replacement, enclosure, encapsulation, paint removal, or a

combination of these. Read on for more information.

Replacement

Replacement is the removal of a building part that contains leadbased paint and the replacement of that part with a new, lead-free one.

Replacement is a good choice for windows, doors, and woodwork.

Replacement of walls, ceilings, and floors is very expensive, and the

process stirs up a lot of dust. Enclosure or encapsulation might be a

better choice.

Lead-based painted

windows are often the

highest source of lead dust

in a home.
Advantages of Replacement

4 Removes lead-based paint permanently.

4 Safest permanent intervention.

4 Upgrades your home.

4 Can lower heat and maintenance costs.

Disadvantages of Replacement

8 Expensive.

8 Areas next to replaced part may be damaged.

8 Replacement part may not be as good as the original.

Enclosure

Enclosure is the process of covering lead-painted surfaces with paneling,

wallboard, or other materials. The materials are fastened with screws and

sealed with caulking to prevent exposure to the lead-painted surfaces.

Enclosure is useful for surfaces that are cracked or chipped.

Encapsulation may be a better choice for surfaces in good condition.

Enclosure is most appropriate for walls, ceilings, and floors.

Advantages of Enclosure

4 Cost-effective.

4 Durable.

4 Generates little contamination.

Disadvantages of Enclosure

8 May not be a permanent solution.

8 Must be checked every 3 to 6 months to make sure it stays intact.

Encapsulation

Like enclosure, encapsulation provides a barrier that prevents lead dust

from spreading. With encapsulation, however, the barrier is a special type

of coatingcalled an encapsulantapplied to a lead-painted surface.

Once dry, it forms a stiff barrier, which can then be painted. This method

of abatement is a good choice for wall surfaces in good condition, for

surfaces that are not rubbed often, and for curved surfaces.

Even though enclosure and

encapsulation do not

remove the lead-based

paint, they are considered

a form of abatement. If

done right, these methods

can effectively reduce the

lead hazards in your home.
Advantages of Encapsulation

4 Generates little contamination.

4 Inexpensive.

Disadvantages of Encapsulation

8 Use of some encapsulant products will create hazardous waste.

8 Cannot be used in high-friction areas.

8 May not be a permanent solution.

8 Must be checked every 3 to 6 months to make sure it stays intact.

Paint Removal

Paint removal is the stripping of lead-based paint from an object. This

process creates a large amount of lead and waste, so choose paint

removal only if no other abatement strategy will work, or if an object

has historical value.

It is possible to have paint removed on-site (in your home) or off-site (at a

paint stripping plant). You can reduce the risk of lead exposure during

abatement by choosing off-site paint removal, and allowing items to be

taken from your home to a professional stripping plant.

Advantages of Off-Site Paint Removal

4 Keeps hazardous chemical strippers out of your home.

4 Preserves the detail on decorative doors, molding, and trims.

4 Useful on antique items that cannot be replaced.

Disadvantages of Off-Site Paint Removal

8 The liquid waste you generate when you rinse and clean

the stripped items may be hazardous.

8 Chemical stripping never removes all of the lead.

8 Leftover stripper will cause the new paint coat to fail.

8 Removing a building component for off-site stripping creates dust.

Exterior Paint Removal

Lead-based paint found on the outside of your house can be hazardous

too. It may need to be removed or enclosed so that it does not get into

the dirt surrounding your house.
To get rid of the lead-based paint on the exterior of your house,

your contractor will likely use vacuum blasting, water blasting, or

exterior enclosure.

Advantages of Vacuum or Water Blasting

4 Can be used on the exterior of your home.

Disadvantages of Vacuum or Water Blasting

8 Can damage the treated surface, especially wood.

8 Creates a lot of waste and can spread paint chips around

nearby areas.

8 Very expensive.

For more information on vacuum blasting, water blasting, and exterior

enclosure, see Appendix D.

Soil Abatement

Sometimes, soil needs to be abated. If it has a high lead level (usually

above 5,000 parts per million), it should be abated.

One way to do this is to hire a contractor to remove or replace the

contaminated soil. Another option is to have a contractor create a

permanent barrier between the soil and your family. This can be done

by paving over or putting permanent bricks on top of the soil. If you

have the old soil removed, ask your state lead contact (Appendix B) for

assistance in determining how it should be disposed.

Help From a Risk Assessor

or a Contractor

In some households, interim controls work well. Others require

abatement. For still others, the best approach is to combine interim

controls with abatement. Deciding on the safest, most efficient, and

most cost-effective approach in your case is difficult, so consider

consulting a certified risk assessor. Risk assessors are trained to

identify strategies for reducing the hazards of lead-based paint.
8

Cleaning Up

Lead Waste

Cleanup is the most important step in controlling or getting rid

of lead hazards.

If the cleanup is done incorrectly, your home may be more

hazardous than it was before the work began.

Dust contaminated with lead by home projectsfrom remodeling to

interim controls and abatementcan be hazardous to you and your

family. In fact, if this dust is not properly removedboth during and

after projectsyour home could be more hazardous than it was before

work began.

Cleanup is the most important step in your project. Here are some

tips for daily cleanup, personal cleanup, and final cleanup after the job

is done.

Daily Cleanup

Daily cleanup is important whenever you or your contractor work with

lead. Daily cleaning prevents the spread of lead dust and makes cleanup

at the end of the project much easier.

At the end of every project day, do the following:

> Wrap up and label any debris or trash.

> Mop floors and wash exposed surfaces and tools with a solution of

water and an all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for

lead. Allow to dry.

> Strain out paint chips from liquid waste and dispose of them in a

heavy-duty plastic bag.

> Vacuum all exposed surfaces and any plastic sheeting with a HEPA

filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.

Pay special attention to

cleanup activities that

prevent the spread of lead

dust to other areas of your

home or exposing your

family to lead.

Cleanup is the most

important step.

þ2

þ1

QUICK TIPS
> Mist outside areas using a garden hose before sweeping these areas

with a broom. Avoid dry sweeping since it spreads lead dust.

Shovel, rake, or HEPA vacuum debris into heavy-duty plastic bags

placed in cardboard boxes for support.

> Clean your vacuum and tools with a solution of water and an allpurpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.

> Seal off the entryways with the thick, plastic sheeting if you have to

leave a work site unattended.

Personal Cleanup

It is very important that whoever has been doing the work follow these

steps to prevent lead dust from spreading to other areas of your home:

> Wash your hands and face whenever you leave your work area.

> Change your clothes and shoes before leaving the work area. After

removing your clothes, wash them immediately, separately from

other family laundry.

> Shower and wash your hair right after finishing work to prevent

spreading lead dust.

Keep in mind that anyone observing lead hazard control work or

entering a room in which work is being done needs to take safety

precautions as well. They should always remove their shoes before

leaving the work area and wash their hands after leaving the work area.

Final Cleanup

Final cleanup, which takes place at the end of a project, must be

performed slowly and carefully. It should occur no sooner than

1 hour after the project ends. Time is needed to let lead dust settle.

Here are the steps of the final cleanup process:

> Collect waste and debris and seal in plastic bags.

> Carefully remove any plastic sheeting by rolling or folding inward.

> Wash all surfaces with a solution of water and an all-purpose cleaner

or a cleaner made specifically for lead. Allow to dry.

> Vacuum all exposed surfaces with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum.

After the above tasks have been performed, you should not see

any dust.
Clearance Examination

After any type of lead work has been performed in your home, it is

strongly recommended that you hire a professional to perform a

clearance examination. This is especially important after an abatement

procedure. Because an abatement is likely to disturb lead-painted

surfaces, you need to be certain that you and your family will not be

exposed to lead hazards.

A clearance examination includes a visual examination and an analysis

of dust samples to ensure that lead levels are not a danger to you and

your family and that cleanup was done properly. The clearance

examination should take place no sooner than 1 hour after any cleaning

activity to allow lead particles to settle.

For a list of qualified professionals in your area who perform testing

services, call your state lead contact (Appendix B) or the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Developments Lead Listing at

(888) LEADLIST. You can also get testing and laboratory information

by calling the National Lead Information Centers Clearinghouse at

(800) 424LEAD.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Working with lead produces many types of waste materialsincluding

lead-based paint chips, liquid waste, used cleaning materials, and leadpainted doors and windows. Do not keep waste materialslike doors,

windows, and scraps of woodfor other uses, and never burn leadpainted wood. This creates hazardous lead fumes.

Hazardous waste that is not disposed of properly will harm the

environment. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

(RCRA) and state or local regulations, certain types of waste are

considered hazardous and must be disposed of at a hazardous waste

facility. If you generate lead waste in your own home, however, the

hazardous waste requirements may not apply to you. Call your state lead

contact to see how lead trash should be disposed of in your area.

The purpose of the

clearance examination is

to make sure that dust

levels are low so you and

your family will not be

exposed to lead hazards.
51

APPENDIX A

For More

Information

Lead Hazards and Lead Poisoning Prevention

> Call the National Lead Information Centers Clearinghouse at

(800) 424LEAD to speak with a lead information specialist. If you

are hearing impaired, call TDD (800) 5265456. The clearinghouse

can provide general lead information. It can also provide testing and

laboratory information.

> Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 4264791 for

information on lead hazards in your drinking water.

> Call the Consumer Product Safety Commission Hotline at

(800) 6382772 for information on lead in consumer products.

If you are hearing impaired, call TDD (800) 6388270.

> Call the National Conference of State Legislatures at

(303) 8302200 for a list of local health department contacts for

lead poisoning services.

> Visit the EPA lead home page at www.epa.gov/lead to get

information on lead regulations and to learn about other EPA and

Federal agency efforts to reduce lead exposure.

Blood-Lead Testing

> Call your health care provider or local health department. They

can either provide blood-lead testing or refer you to someone

who can.

Certified Lead Contractors

> Call the National Lead Service Providers Listing System at

(888) LEADLIST for a list of inspectors, risk assessors, and

abatement contractors who have received training from a stateaccredited training provider. Or get the list from the Internet at

www.leadlisting.org.

> Call your state lead contact (see Appendix B) for a list of

contractors who perform lead activities in your area.

> Call the National Lead Information Centers Clearinghouse at

(800) 424LEAD if you have a tip or complaint about a lead service

provider who may have done work incorrectly.
52

Financial Assistance for Lead Activities

> Call your state lead contact (see Appendix B) to get information on

financial assistance programs in your area. Some state and local

agencies can arrange for needed services at no cost to you, and

some offer financial help. For example, many agencies

 Conduct free blood-lead screenings or direct you to a source of

free testing.

 Help pay for a lead inspection and, if necessary, the removal of

lead-based paint by a trained professional.

 Provide temporary housing, called Safe Houses, for families

undergoing lead removal.

> Call the HUD Office of Affordable Housing Programs at

(202) 7082470 for information on the HUD HOME Program. One

of the activities provided for under this program is financial help for

major home repairs to low-income people who have lead-based

paint in their homes.

A FOR MORE INFORMATION
53

APPENDIX B

State Lead Program

Contacts

Need more information about lead hazards and the prevention of lead

poisoning in your state? Call your state lead contact.

Alabama

Bureau of Environmental Services

Department of Public Health

201 Monroe Street, Suite 1250

PO Box 303017

Montgomery, AL 361303017

(334) 2065373

Alaska

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Health

Section of Epidemiology

3601 C Street, Suite 540

P.O. Box 240249

Anchorage, AK 99524-0249

(907) 2698044

Arizona

Office of Environmental Health

Arizona Department of Health Services

3815 N. Black Canyon Highway

Phoenix, AZ 85015

(602) 2305943

Arkansas

Department of Health

Environmental Health and Protection

4815 West Markham Street, Slot 46

Little Rock, AR 722053867

(501) 6612171

California

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Branch

California Department of Health Services

5801 Christie Avenue, 6th Floor, Suite 600

Emeryville, CA 94608

(510) 4502453

Colorado

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

DCEED-LEAD-A3

4300 Cherry Creek Drive, South

Denver, CO 80246-1530

(303) 6922685

Connecticut

Division of Environmental Health

Department of Public Health

450 Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 340308

Mail Stop 51LED

Hartford, CT 061340308

(860) 5097293

Delaware

DHSS

Division of Public Health

Jesse S. Cooper Building

P.O. Box 637

Dover, DE 19903

(302) 7394731

District of Columbia

Department of Health

Environmental Health Administration

2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE

Suite 404

Washington, DC 20020

(202) 6456093 x3066

Florida

Department of Health

Bureau of Environmental Toxicology

1317 Winewood Boulevard

Tallahassee, FL 323990700

(904) 4883385
54

Georgia

Georgia Childhood Lead Poisoning

Prevention Program

Department of Human Resources

2 Peachtree Street, NW, 5th Floor Annex

Atlanta, GA 30303-3186

(404) 6576514

Hawaii

Department of Health

Environmental Health

P.O. Box 3378

Honolulu, HI 96801

(808) 5864424

Idaho

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Bureau of Environmental Health and Safety

Towers Building, 4th Floor

P.O. Box 83720

Boise, ID 837200036

(208) 3346584

Illinois

Division of Environmental Health

Asbestos and Lead Programs

Department of Public Health

525 W. Jefferson

Springfield, IL 62761

(217) 7823517

Indiana

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Program

Maternal and Child Health Services

State Department of Health

2 North Meridian

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 2331232

Iowa

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Department of Public Health

Lucas State Office Building

321 E. 12th Street

Des Moines, IA 503190075

(515) 2426340

Kansas

Bureau of Environmental Health

Mills Building

Suite 604

109 SW 9th Street

Topeka, KS 666121274

(785) 2960189

Kentucky

Division of Environmental Health and

Community Safety

275 E. Main Street

Frankfort, KY 40621

(502) 5644856

Louisiana

Asbestos and Lead Program

Department of Environmental Quality

Office of Air Quality Division

5222 Summa Court

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

(504) 7652547

Maine

Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning

Prevention Program

Division of Community and Family Health

151 Capitol Street

Augusta, ME 04333

(207) 2874311

Maryland

Environmental Lead Division

Waste Management Administration

Department of the Environment

2500 Broening Highway

Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 6313825

Massachusetts

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Program

Department of Public Health

470 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor

Boston, MA 022102224

(617) 7538401

(888) NOLEAD0 or (888) 6653230

Michigan

Department of Community Health

Public Health Agency

3423 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

P.O. Box 30195

Lansing, MI 48909

(517) 3358011

Minnesota

Director of Environmental Health

Minnesota Department of Health

121 East 7th Place

P.O. Box 64975

St. Paul, MN 55164-0975

(612) 2150731

B STATE LEAD PROGRAM CONTACTS
55

STATE LEAD PROGRAM CONTACTS B

Mississippi

Department of Environmental Quality

P.O. Box 10385

Jackson, MS 392890385

(601) 9615171

Missouri

Office of Lead Licensing and Accreditation

Program

Missouri Department of Health

P.O. Box 570

Jefferson City, MO 651020570

(573) 526-5873

(888) 837-0927 (in Missouri)

Montana

Department of Environmental Quality

Division of Planning, Prevention and

Assistance

1520 East 6th Avenue

P.O. Box 200901, Metcalf Building

Helena, MT 596200901

(406) 4446697

Nebraska

Department of Health and Human Services

Regulation and Licensure

P.O. Box 9507

301 Centennial Mall South

Lincoln, NE 68509

(402) 4710782

(888) 242-1100 (in Nebraska)

Nevada

Nevada Division of Health

505 E. King Street, Room 201

Carson City, NV 89701

(702) 6875845

New Hampshire

Bureau of Health Risk Assessment

Department of Health and Human Services

6 Hazen Drive

Health and Welfare Building

Concord, NH 033016527

(603) 2714507

New Jersey

Lead and Asbestos Program

New Jersey Department of Health and

Senior Services

CN 360

Trenton, NJ 08625

(609) 9842193

New Mexico

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Department of Health

Runnels BuildingSt. Francis Drive

Santa Fe, NM 87505

(505) 8270006

New York

Bureau of Community Sanitation and Food

Protection

New York State Department of Health

1215 Western Avenue

Albany, NY 12203

(800) 4581158

North Carolina

Division of Environmental Health

Department of Environment &

Natural Resources

2728 Capital Boulevard

Raleigh, NC 27604

(919) 7332870

North Dakota

Department of Health

1200 Missouri Avenue

P.O. Box 5520

Bismarck, ND 58506

(701) 3285188

Ohio

Ohio Department of Health

246 N. High Street

Columbus, OH 432660588

(614) 6448649

Oklahoma

Department of Environmental Quality

4545 N. Lincoln, Suite 250

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

(405) 2908247

Oregon

Environmental Services and Consultation

Oregon Health Division

800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 608

Portland, OR 97232

(503) 7314012 x721

Pennsylvania

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Program

Department of Health

P.O. Box 90, Room 725

Harrisburg, PA 17108

(800) 440LEAD (in Pennsylvania)
56

Puerto Rico

Emergency Response and Superfund

Environmental Quality Board

P.O. Box 11488

Santurce, PR 00910

(809) 7662823

Rhode Island

Department of Environmental Management

Office of Director

235 Promenade Street

Providence, RI 02908

(401) 2222771 x2402

South Carolina

Department of Health & Environmental

Control

2600 Bull Street

Columbia, SC 29201

(803) 9357945

South Dakota

Department of Environment and Natural

Resources

Waste Management Program

Joe Foss Building

523 E. Capitol Avenue

Pierre, SD 575013181

(605) 7733153

Tennessee

Department of Environment and

Conservation

Life and Casualty Tower

401 Church Street, 21st Floor

Nashville, TN 372430435

(615) 5320104

Texas

Texas Department of Health

Environmental Lead Program

1100 W. 49th Street

Austin, TX 78756

(512) 8346600

Utah

Lead-Based Paint Program Development

Department of Environmental Quality

150 N. 1950 West

Salt Lake City, UT 841164820

(801) 5364451

Vermont

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Program

Vermont Department of Health

108 Cherry Street

P.O. Box 70

Burlington, VT 05402

(802) 8657786

Virginia

Lead-Safe Virginia Program

Virginia Department of Health

1500 E. Main Street

P.O. Box 2448

Richmond, VA 232182448

(804) 2254455

Virgin Islands

Division of Environmental Protection

Department of Planning and Natural

Resources

3961 Annas Retreat

Foster Plaza

St. Thomas, VI 00802

(809) 7774577

Washington

Washington State Department of Health

Office of Toxic Substances

Airdustrial Center Building 4

P.O. Box 47825

Olympia, WA 985047825

(360) 2363381

West Virginia

Environmental Health Services

815 Quarrier Street, Room 418

Charleston, WV 25301

(304) 5582981 x24

Wisconsin

Bureau of Public Health

1414 E. Washington Avenue

Madison, WI 53703

(608) 2665817

Wyoming

Preventive Medicine Division, Department

of Health

Hathaway Building, 4th Floor

Cheyenne, WY 82002

(307) 7776951

B STATE LEAD PROGRAM CONTACTS
57

APPENDIX C

EPA Regional Lead

Contacts

The Environmental Protection Agency has 10 regional offices across the

United States. For more information on lead regulations or lead

poisoning prevention programs, contact the regional office that serves

your state or territory.

REGION 1 Contact:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,

New Hampshire, Rhode Island,

Vermont

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 1

JFK Federal Building

1 Congress Street

Boston, MA 022030001

(617) 5653836

New Jersey, New York,

Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 2

2890 Woodbridge Avenue

Building 209, Mail Stop 225

Edison, NJ 088373679

(732) 3216671

Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania,

Virginia, Washington, D.C.,

West Virginia

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 3 (3WC33)

841 Chestnut Building

Philadelphia, PA 19107

(215) 5662084

REGION 3 Contact:

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,

Mississippi, North Carolina,

South Carolina, Tennessee

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 4

61 Forsyth Street, SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 5628998

REGION 4 Contact:

REGION 2 Contact:
58

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,

Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Regional Lead Contact

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

77 West Jackson Boulevard

Chicago, IL 606043507

(312) 8867836

Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico,

Oklahoma, Texas

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 6

1445 Ross Avenue, 12th Floor

Dallas, TX 752022733

(214) 6657577

REGION 6 Contact:

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 7

(ARTDRAL1)

726 Minnesota Avenue

Kansas City, KS 66101

(913) 5517020

REGION 7 Contact:

Colorado, Montana, North Dakota,

South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming

Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 8

999 18th Street, Suite 500

Denver, CO 80202-2466

(303) 3126021

REGION 8 Contact:

Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 9

75 Hawthorne Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 7441093

REGION 9 Contact:

Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington Regional Lead Contact

U.S. EPA Region 10

Toxics Section WCM-128

1200 Sixth Avenue

Seattle, WA 98101-1128

(206) 5531985

REGION 10 Contact:

REGION 5 Contact:

C EPA REGIONAL LEAD CONTACTS
59

ABATEMENT GUIDELINES FOR YOUR CONTRACTOR D

APPENDIX D

Abatement Guidelines

for Your Contractor

Once you have hired an abatement contractor, you should know how

the abatement project will be carried out. The information in this

appendix will help. It lists general guidelines for performing the four

types of structural abatement, including

> Replacement

> Encapsulation

> Enclosure

> Paint Removal

Keep in mind these are not step-by-step instructions. The guidelines

are meant to help you make sure that your contractor is working safely

and properly.

Method Where It Is Best Used

Replacement  Windows, doors, and moldings

 Any other easily removed component

Encapsulation  Walls, ceilings, and trim

 Curved surfaces

Enclosure  Floors, pipes, ceilings, exterior trim, etc.

Paint Removal

Wet Scraping  Loose paint

 Should not be used as a removal method

for large areas

Off-Site Chemical  Restoration of historic pieces

Stripping  Doors, mantels, metal railings, and trim

Solvents  Metal substrates

 To clean residue left by other methods

Heat Gun  Flat surfaces

 To soften thick layers of paint

(Should not be operated above 1100° F)

Q. What should I do to

prepare for an abatement?

A. Everyone in your home,

especially children and

pregnant women, must stay

out of the house until the

work is done and the

cleanup, including dust

sample analysis, is

complete. In some cases,

after the work area is

contained, you may be able

to enter your home if you

stay out of the work area.

(See Chapter 4 for more

information on how to safely

contain a work area and

prevent lead dust from

spreading.)
Replacement

Replacing Doors, Windows, and Woodwork

Opening and closing doors or windows stirs up lead dust. Bumping or

banging woodwork does too. You may need to replace some of them to

prevent lead dust from spreading to other areas of your home.

Make sure your contractor

> Covers the area around the part being replaced and any nearby

surfaces with two or three layers of 6-mil polyethylene plastic

sheeting. When the part being removed is a window, make sure the

contractor attaches this plastic sheeting to the wall below the

window and extends it at least 6 feet on each side of the window to

contain lead dust and debris.

> Mists the component with water before removing it.

> Vacuums the part to be removed with a HEPA filter-equipped

vacuum to prevent lead dust from spreading.

> After removal, wraps the part in plastic sheeting.

> Before installing the new part, disposes of the old part

and cleans the work area according to the directions in

Chapter 8.

Encapsulation

Depending on the task to be performed, your contractor can choose

from among many encapsulation products and should consider where

the encapsulant will be applied. Encapsulant makers provide directions

on preparing surfaces and on monitoring, maintaining, and cleaning

encapsulated surfaces. If properly applied and maintained, an

encapsulant should last for 20 years.

Whenever possible,

windows should be

removed from the

outside of your home to

prevent the spread of lead

dust inside.
Enclosure

Preparing the Area

Make sure your contractor

> Eliminates all moisture sources and allows the surface to dry.

> Lays thick, plastic sheeting (mentioned on pages 25 and 60) around

the work area to prevent lead dust from spreading to other parts of

the room, or to other rooms in your home.

Enclosing a Wall

Make sure your contractor

> Writes the words Lead-Based Paint on the wall to be

enclosed.

> Nails strips of wood 12 inches apart down the wall being

enclosed.

> Nails one horizontal strip of wood along the base of the

wall, and seals it with caulk along the bottom edge to

create a dust-tight seal.

> Measures and caulks the new wallboard or paneling,

and attaches it to the original wall.

> Measures and caulks the baseboard, and attaches it

to the bottom of the wallboard.

> Measures and caulks the shoe molding, and attaches

it to the bottom of the baseboard.

> Cleans the work area according to the instructions in Chapter 8.

> Paints or papers the new wall.

Exterior walls can be enclosed in much the same way.

Enclosing a Ceiling

Make sure your contractor

> Writes the words Lead-Based Paint on the ceiling to be enclosed.

> Using a stud finder, finds the ceiling studs.

> Measures the wallboard carefully.

> Caulks and screws the wallboard directly into the ceiling studs.

> Cleans the work area according to the instructions in Chapter 8.

> Paints the new ceiling.
Paint Removal

There are many ways to remove paint, and some of them should never

be used on lead-based paint. They include

> Torch or flame burning.

> Open abrasive blasting.

> Uncontained water blasting.

> Machine sanding without a HEPA filter.

> On-site use of chemical strippers that contain methylene chloride.

> On-site use of flammable solvents.

> Solutions of potassium or sodium hydroxides.

> Dry scraping large areas.

Off-Site Paint Removal

Off-site paint removal works best for doors, mantels, and other trim that

may have architectural or historical value. The items are dipped into a

tank of chemical stripping agents, and the paint dissolves off the surface.

Be sure to wash the items before reinstalling them. You may also need

to refinish or re-glue the pieces.

On-Site Paint Removal

If you must have paint removed in your home, your contractor can

apply one or more of these methods:

> Wet scraping. Wet scraping is a way to prepare a surface for

repainting by removing loose paint. The surface must be misted

before being scraped to keep lead dust levels down. It also must

be misted constantly while it is being scraped.

> Wet planing. Similar to wet scraping, the surface must be

misted with water before being planed and while it is

being planed.

> Electric heat guns. Electric heat guns force

warmed air onto a painted surface. The heat softens

the paint, which is then scraped off with hand tools.

Heat guns should not be warmed above 1100°

F. If heated above this temperature, lead-based

paint can give off toxic fumes.
> Local exhaust hand tools. These handheld power tools are

attached to a HEPA vacuum by a hose. The vacuum contains a

HEPA filter to prevent the spread of lead dust.

> Chemical stripping. Chemical stripping is the use of solvents or

caustic pastes to dissolve and strip off paint. Chemical strippers are

dangerous and may give off harmful vapors, which can catch on fire.

Some states prohibit the use of methylene chloride, which is

often used in chemical strippers. Your contractor should know

whether chemical stripping is an option in your state. If not,

check with your state lead contact (Appendix B).

Vacuum Blasting, Water Blasting, and Enclosure

for Exterior Paint

Although vacuum blasting or water blasting should never be done inside

your home because of the waste they create, your contractor may remove

paint from the exterior of your home using these methods. To avoid

contaminating areas around your home and your neighbors homes, make

sure your contractor controls the spread of any waste or debris.

When removing exterior paint, make sure your contractor

> Protects the soil, bushes, plants, and the area around your home by

taping thick, plastic sheeting to the base of the structure. The plastic

sheeting should extend at least 6 feet for every story.

> Places 2" x 4" boards under the edge of the plastic sheeting to create

a curb. The curb should direct the waste water into a low spot,

where it can be pumped into a 55-gallon drum.

> Cleans and smooths the surface.

Enclosing outside surfaces with a dust-tight material or aluminum siding

is often the best method to use. This will protect the lead-based paint

from the elements and will increase the energy efficiency of your

home. It also creates less waste than other abatement methods.
65

Glossary

Abatement A procedure that eliminates lead-based paint hazards or

lead-based paint. The four types of abatement methods are removal,

enclosure, encapsulation, and replacement. Removal and

replacement are permanent.

Abrasion Rubbing or friction that causes wear on a surface.

Accredited training provider A training provider approved by EPA

to train individuals to be risk assessors, inspectors, supervisors,

and workers.

All-purpose cleaner A general-purpose cleaning product.

Bare soil Soil not covered with grass, sod, other vegetation, or

pavement. This also includes the sand in sandboxes.

Blood-lead level A measurement of how much lead is in the body.

Certified The designation for contractors who have completed training

and other requirements to allow them to carry out risk assessments,

inspections, or abatements safely. Risk assessors, inspectors, and

abatement contractors should be certified by the appropriate local,

state, or Federal agency.

Characteristics (of hazardous waste) EPA has identified four

characteristics of hazardous waste: how easily the waste ignites, how

corrosive it is, how it reacts with other substances, and how toxic it is

to people and the environment. Any solid waste that has at least one

of these characteristics may be classified as hazardous under the

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), depending on

how the waste is produced and how much is generated.

Chemical stripping A paint removal method that uses chemicals to

strip off paint.

Chelation A medical drug treatment for lead poisoning.

Cleaner made specifically for lead Cleaning product made

specifically for cleaning and removing lead-contaminated dust. Can

be found in some paint and hardware stores.

Cleaning The process of using a HEPA vacuum and wet cleaning

agents to remove lead dust. See also HEPA filter and wet cleaning.
66

Clearance examination An inspection performed after abatement

work is completed in housing that contains lead hazards. Also

recommended after interim controls and renovation and remodeling

activities. Dust levels are checked to be sure that they meet

standards.

Clearance examiner An individual who performs a clearance

examination, usually a risk assessor or inspector. See also clearance

examination.

Contaminate The process by which an area may become infected

through contact or association.

Contractor Any business, public body, or person doing work on a

lead-based paint hazard control project.

Deteriorated lead-based paint Any lead-based paint that is peeling,

chipping, blistering, flaking, worn, chalking, cracking, or otherwise

becoming separated from the surface to which it was applied.

dl Short for deciliter. A deciliter is one tenth of a liter, or a little less

than half a cup of liquid. This measurement is used when measuring

blood in the body.

Disposal (of hazardous waste) Getting rid of hazardous waste in a

way that prevents it from polluting the environment.

Durable Able to exist for a long time without deterioration.

Dust removal A type of interim control that involves initial cleaning

followed by periodic monitoring and recleaning, as needed.

Dust trap A surface, component, or furnishing where dust may

accumulate.

Encapsulation An abatement method in which a lead-painted surface

is coated with a special liquid paint that hardens and prevents lead

dust from being released.

Enclosure An abatement method in which a lead-painted surface is

covered with paneling, wallboard, or other approved material to

prevent lead dust from being released.

Evaluation An assessment that includes a risk assessment, paint

inspection, reevaluation, investigation, clearance examination, or

lead hazard screen.

Exterior work area The area outside a housing unit in which lead

hazard control work is performed. It includes areas such as porches or

outdoor stairways.

Friction surface Any interior or exterior surface, such as a window or

a door, subject to abrasion or friction.

GLOSSARY
67

Gram A metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram. It

is close to the weight of a penny.

Hazardous waste Any waste that is considered dangerous to people

or the environment by state or Federal laws.

Heat gun A device that forces warmed air onto a painted surface and

softens the paint so it can be removed. Heating and burning leadbased paint makes dangerous fumes and vapors. If a heat gun must be

used, it should not be warmed above 1100° F.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter A filter that can remove

very small lead particles and prevent them from being redistributed

into the air. HEPA filters are used on respirators and vacuum cleaners

to prevent lead exposure from projects that disturb lead-based paint.

Hydroblasting The process of using high-powered water pressure to

loosen exterior paint so it can be removed.

Impact surface An interior or exterior surfacesuch as the surface of

a doorsubject to damage by repeated impact or contact.

Inspection (of paint) An evaluation to determine if lead-based paint is

present in housing and where it is located.

Inspector An individual who has completed training from an EPAapproved program and has been licensed or certified by the

appropriate state or local agency to perform a lead-based paint

inspection. See also inspection.

Interim controls A set of measures that temporarily reduce lead

hazards. Such measures include specialized cleaning, repairs,

maintenance, painting, and temporary containment.

Interior window sill The portion of the horizontal window ledge that

extends into a room on the inside of a house.

Leach The process in which liquid passes through an object, and

particles from the object dissolve into or mix with the liquid.

Lead A heavy, bluish-white chemical that can be easily shaped.

Lead-based paint Any paint, varnish, shellac, or other coating that

contains lead equal to or greater than 1.0 milligram per square

centimeter or 0.5 percent lead by weight.

Lead-contaminated dust Surface dust in residential settings that

contains levels of lead that pose a threat of adverse health effects in

pregnant women or young children. The term is defined this way for

the purpose of Lead In Your Home: A Parents Reference Guide.

However, this is a technical term that will be further defined by the

EPA in the TSCA 403 regulation.

GLOSSARY
68

Lead-contaminated soil Bare soil in residential settings that contains

lead at levels that are hazardous to human health. The term is defined

this way for the purpose of Lead In Your Home: A Parents Reference

Guide. However, this is a technical term that will be further defined

by the EPA in the TSCA 403 regulation.

Lead hazard Dangerous conditions or circumstances that cause lead

exposure at levels that would result in adverse human health effects.

Lead hazards could include deteriorated lead-based paint,

lead-contaminated dust, and lead-contaminated soil. The term is

defined this way for the purpose of Lead In Your Home: A Parents

Reference Guide. However, this is a technical term that will be further

defined by the EPA in the TSCA 403 regulation.

Lead hazard control Activities to control and eliminate lead hazards.

They include interim controls and abatement.

Lead hazard screen A type of risk assessment performed only in

housing in good condition using fewer samples but more stringent

evaluation criteria to determine the absence of lead-based paint.

Maintenance Work intended to maintain adequate living conditions in

a housing unit.

Mg Short for milligram. It is equal to one thousandth of a gram.

Mil An English unit often used to measure the thickness of paint film or

plastic sheeting. It is equal to one thousandth of an inch.

Monitoring Surveillance to make sure lead-based paint and lead dust

are kept under control and that activities performed to control lead

hazards continue to be successful.

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

When you purchase a respirator, make sure the package says it is

certified by NIOSH.

Off-site paint removal The process of removing a component from

housing and stripping the paint from the component at an off-site

paint stripping facility.

On-site paint removal The process of removing paint from

components inside the housing.

Owner The person who holds the title to a housing unit.

Paint removal An abatement strategy to remove lead-based paint from

identified surfaces.

GLOSSARY
69

Parts per million (ppm) Measurement used to identify the amount of

lead in paint. It is the weight of lead per 1,000,000 weights of a

sample, including the lead. For example, if a paint sample contains

5,000 micrograms of lead in 1 gram of paint, then the lead

concentration is 5,000 ppm.

Priming To prepare a surface for painting.

Reevaluation An assessment performed by a certified risk assessor to

determine if a previously implemented lead-based paint hazard

control measure is still effective and if the dust and soil levels remain

lower than EPA standards.

Replacement A type of abatement that involves removing housing

components coated with lead-based paintsuch as windows, doors,

and trimand installing new components that are free of lead-based

paint.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) A Federal law that

defines hazardous and nonhazardous waste and regulates hazardous

waste disposal.

Respirator A device worn to cover the mouth and nose. When

working with lead-based paint, the only type of respirator that will

filter out lead dust particles is one equipped with a HEPA filter.

Risk assessment An on-site investigation of housing to determine if

lead hazards are present and how they can be controlled.

Risk assessor A certified individual who has completed training with

an accredited training program and has been certified to perform a

risk assessment. See also risk assessment.

Sandblasting A process in which sand is blown by air or steam to

remove paint.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) A law that limits the amount of

which certain chemicals are allowed in drinking water. Congress

made additions to this act in 1986 and 1988, which made it illegal to

use lead in household plumbing.

Screening The process of testing children to determine if they have

elevated blood-lead levels.

Solder A combination of metals used to join or patch metal parts or

surfaces. Solder sometimes contains lead.

Solid waste Garbage, refuse, sludge or other discarded materials

resulting from domestic, industrial, or commercial operations or from

community activities.

GLOSSARY
70

Substrate A surface on which paint, varnish, or other coating has been

applied or may be applied. Examples of substrates include wood,

plaster, metal, and drywall.

Title X This law directs Federal agencies to develop regulations to

strengthen and redirect national lead poisoning prevention efforts.

Also called the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.

Trained The successful completion of a training course in one of the

following disciplines: inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, project

designer, and abatement worker. For lead hazard control work, the

training course must be accredited by EPA or by an EPA-approved

state program.

Treatment In residential lead hazard control work, any method

designed to control lead-based paint hazards. This includes interim

controls and abatement.

μg Short for microgram. A microgram is one millionth of a gram.

μg/dL Short for micrograms per deciliter. The measurement used to

express how much lead is in your blood.

Wet cleaning The process of using a mixture of water and a household

cleaner to remove lead dust.

Wet planing A process of smoothing off a surface. The surface is wet

misted before being planned to keep dust levels down.

Wet scraping A process used to remove loose or chipping paint. The

paint is wet misted before being scraped to keep dust levels down.

Window trough For a typical double-hung window, the part of the

exterior window sill between the interior window sill and the frame

of the storm window. This is sometimes inaccurately called the

window well. See also window well.

Window well The space that provides exterior access or light to a

window that is below the level of the surrounding earth or pavement.

Worker An individual who performs lead hazard control work.

Beginning in 1999, workers must be trained by an EPA-accredited

provider and certified by EPA or a state or tribe to perform lead

hazard control work.

Work area Any interior or exterior area where lead hazard control

work is performed.

GLOSSARY