Lead Paint Can Poison:

Is Your Family at Risk?

HUD WANTS YOU TO LEARN THE FACTS ABOUT LEAD PAINT.

Q. Where is lead paint found?

A. Most homes built before 1978 have some lead paint. Homes built before 1960

have the most lead paint. Lead can be present on any painted surface, but it is most often

found on windows, trim, doors, railings, columns, porches and outside walls. Surfaces that

have been repainted may have layers of lead paint underneath. A lead inspection can tell

you where lead paint is located in your home.

Q. How do children get poisoned from lead paint?

A. Most children are poisoned by invisible lead dust that is released when

paint is peeling, damaged or disturbed. The dust settles on floors and other surfaces. From there, it can easily get on children’s hands or toys and into their mouths. Children can also be poisoned by playing in bare soil which can contain lead from paint that has

peeled from outside walls, past use of leaded gasoline and other outside sources.

Q. Should I worry about lead if I repaint or remodel?

A. Yes. Scraping, sanding or otherwise disturbing old paint can release

large amounts of toxic lead dust. Learn to work safely with lead paint and make sure

any contractor you hire follows lead-safe guidelines. For more information, see HUD’s fact

sheet, Lead Paint Can Poison: Protect Your Family When You Repaint or Remodel. For a free

copy, call 1-800-424-LEAD.

Q. How do I know if my child is lead poisoned?

A. You cannot tell if a child is lead poisoned just by looking. The only way to

find out is with a blood test. The test is simple, quick and available in a doctor’s office or

clinic. Most health plans cover lead tests. Young children who are enrolled in Medicaid and

other state health programs can get free lead tests.

Q. What should I do if my child is lead poisoned?

A. First, locate any lead hazards in your home and learn how to eliminate

them safely. Talk with your doctor or health department about what else you can do to

protect your child’s health. Never try to remove lead paint yourself. Call 1-888-LEADLIST for

a list of lead service providers.

Q. If I rent my home, how can I protect my family?

A. There are five things you should know:

1. It is your landlord’s job to keep paint in good shape.

2. If your landlord will not fix peeling paint or water damage, call your health department.

3. Make sure that workers who fix the paint do not spread lead dust.

4. Workers should clean up well before they leave.

5. Landlords are required by law to give you information about lead before you sign the

lease and at any time your rent is raised.

USE HUD’S SIMPLE CHECKLIST ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS FACT SHEET TO

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD PAINT HAZARDS.

• If your home was built

before 1978, your child

could be at risk for lead

poisoning from lead

paint.

• Lead can harm your

child’s brain, causing

lifelong learning and

behavior problems.

• Almost one million

children under age six

in the U.S. suffer from

lead poisoning.

• Children under age six

are most at risk. When

a pregnant woman is

exposed to lead, it can

harm her unborn baby.

U.S. Department of

Housing and Urban

Development
MAKE YOUR HOME A HEALTHY HOME!

Take these five steps:

1. Keep paint in good shape.

q Check often for peeling paint.

q Watch out for water damage that can make paint peel.

q Make sure any problems are fixed promptly.

2. Work safely with lead paint.

q Wet down the paint before you sand or scrape to control lead dust.

q Avoid creating dust or paint chips. A power sander or grinder should have a

hood to trap dust and a HEPA vacuum attachment.

q Seal off the work area by covering floors, doors, windows and vents with heavy

plastic and keep children and pregnant women away from the area.

q Cover furniture with heavy plastic or remove it from the work area.

q Wash floors and walls with soap and water.

q Dispose of trash and dust in plastic bags.

3. Keep your home free of lead dust.

q Clean floors and window sills often with soap and water and rinse with fresh

water.

q Be sure children wash their hands before eating, after playing outside and at

bedtime.

4. Watch where your children play.

q Don’t let children play in bare soil.

q Look for areas with grass or other safe coverings.

5. Test your child for lead.

q Ask your doctor or health department if your child should be tested for lead.

HUD WANTS EVERY CHILD TO HAVE A LEAD-SAFE HOME!

For HUD’s fact sheet, Lead Paint Can Poison: Protect Your Family When You Repaint or Remodel,

or for other information about making your home lead-safe, call 1-800-424-LEAD.

For a free brochure on other home safety issues, call HUD’s Healthy Homes hotline at 1-800-

HUDS-FHA or visit HUD’s Web site at www.hud.gov. HUD is on your side.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of

Housing and Urban Development www.hud.gov