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Lead in New England
Our Goal:
"Eliminate
medically confirmed blood lead levels greater than 10 ug/dL among
children under age 6 in New England by 2010."
Lead is a toxic metal that may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly. In the 1980's, the use of lead was phased out of gasoline and paint. But since New England has a lot of housing which is more than 25 years old, many of our houses may still contain lead paint. Exposure to lead usually occurs due to the presence of deteriorating lead-based paint, lead contaminated dust (particularly from renovations), and lead-contaminated residential soil.
This site provides information about lead, lead hazards in buildings and in soil, lead paint assistance and enforcement efforts, and provides some simple steps to protect your family.
[NEW] Renovators, Remodelers, Contractors and Landlords of Pre-1978 Housing:
- EPA's new rule aimed at protecting children from lead based paint hazards (PDF) (79 pp., 848 KB, about PDF)
- The new rule requires contractors and construction professionals that work in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities to follow lead-safe work practice standards. View the effective dates of the rule.
- Beginning December 2008 you are required to provide owners, tenants and child care facilities with the new EPA pamphlet "Renovate Right" (PDF) (19 pp., 1.59 MB, about PDF) and notify them of the presence of lead paint before work begins.
