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Use your creativity to create a video on how you can prevent lead poisoning in your home or school. Learn more about the contest.
Highlights
APPLY NOW to become a certified renovation firm! With over 200,000 contractors expected, don't be caught waiting in line for your certification - beating the rush will allow you to start advertising your lead-safe credentials immediately. Renovation firms must be certified by April 2010 to work in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools.
August 26, 2009 - EPA intends to strengthen requirements to protect children from lead-based paint poisoning associated with renovation and repair activities in homes and schools. Read about EPA's planned actions.
August 26, 2009 - EPA announced that it will grant a petition to initiate regulatory action to address lead hazards associated with the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of lead wheel balancing weights ("wheel weights"). Read more about the lead wheel weights announcement.
EPA Recognizes Lead Paint Test Kits - EPA is recognizing two currently available lead test kits, with limitations, as part of its effort to evaluate the effectiveness of lead test kits.
Lead-Safe Renovation, Repairs and Painting
Look into our tool box for information on becoming an EPA-certified lead-safe renovator or training provider.
Speak to a Specialist
Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323)
Why Do You Need to Be Concerned About Lead?
Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead also can be emitted into the air from motor vehicles and industrial sources, and lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials. Lead 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.
Most Common Sources of Lead Poisoning:
- Deteriorating lead-based paint
- Lead contaminated dust
- Lead contaminated residential soil
On this Web site:
- Facts about lead
- Health effects of lead
- Where lead is found
- Where lead is likely to be a hazard
- How to check your family and home for lead
- What you can do to protect your family
- Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978?
- Renovating, repairing or painting a home, child care facility or school with lead-based paint
- Other EPA pamphlets on lead
Where You Live - Get contacts for lead information in each EPA regional office.
Renovation, Repair and Painting - Learn about EPA's lead-safety rules and lead-safe work practices.
Lead Professionals - Read about EPA requirements for lead-based paint abatement for known hazards, inspection, and risk assessment.
Grants - Read about EPA's grant programs to fund lead poisoning prevention activities in local communities and across the nation.
Lead in the News - Read about recalls, lead in toys and children's jewelry and more.
Rules and Regulations - Read about EPA regulations and policy guidance on lead abatement, cleanup, risk assessment, and remodeling and renovations.
Resource Center - Access links to additional information sources on lead from other EPA offices and organizations involved in efforts to reduce lead exposure.