LEAD HAZARD TIPS
Simple Steps to Protect
Your Family from Lead Hazards
Check out the EPA site for additional information on Lead Paint here > EPA
If you think your home has high levels of lead:
- Get your young children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy
- Wash children's hands,bottles, pacifiers, and toys often
- Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods
- Get your home checked for lead hazards
- Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces
- Wipe soil off shoes before entering house
- Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint
- Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovating (call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines)
- Don't use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead
- Don't try to remove lead-based paint
Sellers Rights and Responsibilities:
Your Rights and Responsibilities Under the new title X Federal Regulations sellers and lessors of pre-1978 residential dwellings must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint to prospective buyers or tenants. Purchasers are entitled to a 10-day period to conduct a lead-based paint inspection at their own expense.
Do I Need a Lead-Based Paint Inspection/Risk Assessment?
There are two primary reasons for considering a lead inspection/risk assessment:
- Children under the age of 6 are considered to be at the greatest risk of lead poisoning. Ingesting even small amounts of lead-based paint or dust can cause serious health effects.
- The market value and marketability of your home may be adversely affected by the presence of lead-based paint. Testing prior to purchase will enable you to invest wisely and take the steps necessary to enhance the resale value of your property.
Why is Lead Dangerous?
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
- Slowed growth
- Hearing problems
- Headaches
People Can Get Lead in their Bodies if They:
- Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths
- Eat paint chips or soil that contain lead
- Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces)
Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them. Children's growing bodies absorb more lead. Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. |
