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See also: Lead
Paint - Part 2 | Lead
Paint - Part 3
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Lead
Paint Disclosure - ARE YOU PLANNING
TO BUY, RENT, OR RENOVATE A HOME BUILT BEFORE 1978?
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains
lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can
pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly. In 1996,
federal law requires that individuals receive certain information
before renting, buying, or renovating pre-1978 housing.
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SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR
FAMILY FROM LEAD HAZARDS
If you think your home has high levels of lead:
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- Get your young
children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy. |
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Get
your home checked for lead hazards. |
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Wipe
soil off shoes before entering house. |
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Talk
to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping
paint. |
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Regularly
clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces. |
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Make
sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods. |
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Wash
children's hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often. |
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Take
precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or
renovating (call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines). |
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Don't
use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on
painted surfaces that may contain lead. |
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Don't
try to remove lead-based paint yourself. |
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LANDLORDS will
have to disclose known information on lead-based paint hazards
before leases take effect. Leases will include a federal form about
lead-based paint. Get
the Free form.
SELLERS will
have to disclose known information on lead-based paint hazards
before selling a house. Sales contracts will include a federal form
about lead-based paint in the building. Buyers will have up to 10
days to check for lead hazards.
RENOVATORS will
have to give you this pamphlet before starting work.
For more information on these
requirements, call the National Lead Information
Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD.
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*Lead From Paint,
Dust, and Soil Can Be Dangerous If Not Managed Properly*
FACT: Lead exposure
can harm young children and babies even before they are born.
FACT: Even children
that seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: People can
get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by
eating soil or paint chips with lead in them.
FACT: People have
many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based
paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
FACT: Removing
lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.
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People can get lead
in their body 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.
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Children: 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
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Adults can suffer from:
- Difficulties
during pregnancy
- Other
reproductive problems (in both men and women)
- High blood
pressure
- Digestive
problems
- Nerve disorders
- Memory and
concentration problems
- Muscle and joint
pain
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See also: Lead
Paint - Part 2 | Lead
Paint - Part 3
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