Common use of Checking Your Family for Lead Clause in Contracts

Checking Your Family for Lead. Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high lev- els of lead. To reduce your child's exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have. Children's blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age. Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are usually recommended for: ◆ Children at ages 1 and 2. ◆ Children or other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead. ◆ Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan. Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed. Identifying Lead Hazards Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, and it is not on an impact or friction surface, like a window. It is defined by the federal government as paint with lead levels greater than or equal to 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, or more than 0.5% by weight. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking or damaged) is a hazard and needs immediate attention. It may also be a hazard when found on sur- faces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear, such as: ◆ Windows and window xxxxx. ◆ Doors and door frames. ◆ Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches. Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious hazards. Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub togeth- er. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it. The following two federal standards have been set for lead hazards in dust: ◆ 40 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) and higher for floors, including carpeted floors. ◆ 250 µg/ft2 and higher for interior window xxxxx. Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. The following two federal standards have been set for lead hazards in residential soil: ◆ 400 parts per million (ppm) and higher in play areas of bare soil. ◆ 1,200 ppm (average) and higher in bare soil in the remainder of the yard. The only way to find out if paint, dust and soil lead hazards exist is to test for them. The next page describes the most common meth- ods used. Checking Your Home for Lead Just knowing that a home has lead- based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard. You can get your home tested for lead in several different ways: ◆ A paint inspection tells you whether your home has lead-based paint and where it is located. It won’t tell you whether or not your home currently has lead hazards. ◆ A risk assessment tells you if your home currently has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust, or soil. It also tells you what actions to take to address any hazards. ◆ A combination risk assessment and inspection tells you if your home has any lead hazards and if your home has any lead-based paint, and where the lead-based paint is located. Hire a trained and certified testing profes- sional who will use a range of reliable methods when testing your home. ◆ Visual inspection of paint condition and location. ◆ A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine. ◆ Lab tests of paint, dust, and soil samples. There are state and federal programs in place to ensure that testing is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact your state or local agency (see bottom of page 11) for more information, or call 0-000-000-XXXX (5323) for a list of contacts in your area. Home test kits for lead are available, but may not always be accurate. Consumers should not rely on these kits before doing renovations or to assure safety. What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family’s risk: ◆ If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint. ◆ Clean up paint chips immediately. ◆ Clean floors, window frames, window xxxxx, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop or sponge with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead. REMEMBER: NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS. ◆ Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas. ◆ Wash children’s hands often, especial- ly before they eat and before nap time and bed time. ◆ Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly. ◆ Keep children from chewing window xxxxx or other painted surfaces. ◆ Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil. ◆ Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead. Reducing Lead Hazards In The Home Removing lead improperly can increase the hazard to your family by spreading even more lead dust around the house. Always use a professional who is trained to remove lead hazards safely. In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition: ◆ You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing dam- aged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions (called “interim controls”) are not permanent solutions and will need ongo- ing attention. ◆ To permanently remove lead hazards, you should hire a certified lead “xxxxx- ment” contractor. Abatement (or perma- nent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not permanent removal. Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems—someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules as set by their state or by the federal government. Once the work is completed, dust cleanup activities must be repeated until testing indicates that lead dust levels are below the following: ◆ 40 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) for floors, including carpeted floors; ◆ 250 µg/ft2 for interior windows xxxxx; and ◆ 400 µg/ft2 for window troughs. Call your state or local agency (see bottom of page 11) for help in locating certified professionals in your area and to see if financial assistance is available. Remodeling or Renovating a Home With Lead-Based Paint Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovating any- thing that disturbs painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls): ◆ Have the area tested for lead-based paint. ◆ Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, high temperature heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These actions create large amounts of lead dust and fumes. Lead dust can remain in your home long after the work is done. ◆ Temporarily move your family (espe- cially children and pregnant women) out of the apartment or house until the work is done and the area is prop- erly cleaned. If you can’t move your family, at least completely seal off the work area. ◆ Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find out about other safety measures by calling 1-800-424-LEAD. Ask for the brochure “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.” This brochure explains what to do before, during, and after renovations. If you have already completed renova- tions or remodeling that could have released lead-based paint or dust, get your young children tested and follow the steps outlined on page 7 of this brochure. If not conducted properly, certain types of renova- tions can release lead from paint and dust into the air. Other Sources of Lead While paint, dust, and soil are the most common sources of lead, other lead sources also exist. ◆ Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: • Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. • Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours. ◆ The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes. ◆ Old painted toys and furniture. ◆ Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. ◆ Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air. ◆ Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture. ◆ Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “xxxxx” and “xxxxxxx” used to treat an upset stomach. For More Information The National Lead Information Center Call 0-000-000-XXXX (424-5323) to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning and for other information on lead hazards. To access lead information via the web, visit xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxx and xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxxxxx/xxxx/. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline Call 0-000-000-0000 for information about lead in drinking water. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Hotline To request information on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe consumer product or a prod- uct-related injury call 1-800-638- 2772, or visit CPSC's Web site at: xxx.xxxx.xxx. Health and Environmental Agencies Some cities, states, and tribes have their own rules for lead-based paint activities. Check with your local agency to see which laws apply to you. Most agencies can also provide information on finding a lead abatement firm in your area, and on possible sources of financial aid for reducing lead hazards. Receive up-to-date address and phone information for your local con- tacts on the Internet at xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxx or contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. For the hearing impaired, call the Federal Information Relay Service at 0-000-000-0000 to access any of the phone numbers in this brochure. EPA Regional Offices Your Regional EPA Office can provide further information regard- ing regulations and lead protection programs. EPA Regional Offices Region 1 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 1 Suite 1100 (CPT) Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 0 (000) 000-0000 Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 2 2890 Woodbridge Avenue Building 000, Xxxx Xxxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 3 (3WC33) 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (215) 814-5000 Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 4 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 5 (DT-8J) 00 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Chicago, IL 60604-3666 (000) 000-0000 Xxxxxx 0 (Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 6 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 12th Floor Dallas, TX 75202-2733 (000) 000-0000 Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 7 (ARTD-RALI) 000 X. 0xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (913) 551-7020 Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 8 000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada) Regional Lead Contact U.S. Region 9 00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (415) 947-4164 Region 00 (Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 10 Toxics Section WCM-128 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 CPSC Regional Offices Your Regional CPSC Office can provide further information regard- ing regulations and consumer product safety. Eastern Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 000 Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (212) 620-4120 Central Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 Western Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000-X Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 HUD Lead Office Please contact HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control for information on lead regulations, outreach efforts, and lead hazard control and research grant programs.

Checking Your Family for Lead. Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high lev- els of lead. To reduce your child's exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have. Children's blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age. Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are usually recommended for: ◆ ▪ Children at ages 1 and 2. ◆ ▪ Children or other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead. ◆ ▪ Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan. Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed. Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high levels of lead. Identifying Lead Hazards Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, and it is not on an impact or friction surface, like a window. It is defined by the federal government as paint with lead levels greater than or equal to 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, or more than 0.5% by weight. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking or damaged) is a hazard and needs immediate attention. It may also be a hazard when found on sur- faces surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear, such as: ◆ ▪ Windows and window xxxxx. ◆ ▪ Doors and door frames. ◆ ▪ Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches. Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious hazards. Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub togeth- ertogether. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it. The following two federal standards have been set for lead hazards in dust: ◆ ▪ 40 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) and higher for floors, including carpeted floors. ◆ ▪ 250 µg/ft2 and higher for interior window xxxxx. Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. The following two federal standards have been set for lead hazards in residential soil: ◆ ▪ 400 parts per million (ppm) and higher in play areas of bare soil. ◆ ▪ 1,200 ppm (average) and higher in bare soil in the remainder of the yard. The only way to find out if paint, dust and soil lead hazards exist is to test for them. The next page describes the most common meth- ods methods used. Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious hazards. Checking Your Home for Lead Just knowing that a home has lead- based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard. You can get your home tested for lead in several different ways: ◆ ▪ A paint inspection tells you whether your home has lead-based paint and where it is located. It won’t tell you whether or not your home currently has lead hazards. ◆ ▪ A risk assessment tells you if your home currently has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust, or soil. It also tells you what actions to take to address any hazards. ◆ ▪ A combination risk assessment and inspection tells you if your home has any lead hazards and if your home has any lead-based paint, and where the lead-based paint is located. Hire a trained and certified testing profes- sional professional who will use a range of reliable methods when testing your home. ◆ ▪ Visual inspection of paint condition and location. ◆ ▪ A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine. ◆ ▪ Lab tests of paint, dust, and soil samples. There are state and federal programs in place to ensure that testing is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact your state or local agency (see bottom of page 11pages 3 and 4) for more information, or call 0-(000-) 000-XXXX (5323) for a list of contacts in your area. Home test kits for lead are available, but may not always be accurate. Consumers should not rely on these kits before doing renovations or to assure safety. What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family If Just knowing that a home has leadbased paint may not tell you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family’s risk: ◆ If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint. ◆ Clean up paint chips immediately. ◆ Clean floors, window frames, window xxxxx, and other surfaces weekly. Use if there is a mop or sponge with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead. REMEMBER: NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS. ◆ Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas. ◆ Wash children’s hands often, especial- ly before they eat and before nap time and bed time. ◆ Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly. ◆ Keep children from chewing window xxxxx or other painted surfaces. ◆ Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil. ◆ Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead. Reducing Lead Hazards In The Home Removing lead improperly can increase the hazard to your family by spreading even more lead dust around the house. Always use a professional who is trained to remove lead hazards safely. In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition: ◆ You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing dam- aged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions (called “interim controls”) are not permanent solutions and will need ongo- ing attention. ◆ To permanently remove lead hazards, you should hire a certified lead “xxxxx- ment” contractor. Abatement (or perma- nent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not permanent removal. Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems—someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules as set by their state or by the federal government. Once the work is completed, dust cleanup activities must be repeated until testing indicates that lead dust levels are below the following: ◆ 40 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) for floors, including carpeted floors; ◆ 250 µg/ft2 for interior windows xxxxx; and ◆ 400 µg/ft2 for window troughs. Call your state or local agency (see bottom of page 11) for help in locating certified professionals in your area and to see if financial assistance is available. Remodeling or Renovating a Home With Lead-Based Paint Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovating any- thing that disturbs painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls): ◆ Have the area tested for lead-based paint. ◆ Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, high temperature heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These actions create large amounts of lead dust and fumes. Lead dust can remain in your home long after the work is done. ◆ Temporarily move your family (espe- cially children and pregnant women) out of the apartment or house until the work is done and the area is prop- erly cleaned. If you can’t move your family, at least completely seal off the work area. ◆ Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find out about other safety measures by calling 1-800-424-LEAD. Ask for the brochure “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Homehazard.” This brochure explains what to do before, during, and after renovations. If you have already completed renova- tions or remodeling that could have released lead-based paint or dust, get your young children tested and follow the steps outlined on page 7 of this brochure. If not conducted properly, certain types of renova- tions can release lead from paint and dust into the air. Other Sources of Lead While paint, dust, and soil are the most common sources of lead, other lead sources also exist. ◆ Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: • Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. • Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours. ◆ The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes. ◆ Old painted toys and furniture. ◆ Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. ◆ Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air. ◆ Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture. ◆ Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “xxxxx” and “xxxxxxx” used to treat an upset stomach. For More Information The National Lead Information Center Call 0-000-000-XXXX (424-5323) to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning and for other information on lead hazards. To access lead information via the web, visit xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxx and xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxxxxx/xxxx/. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline Call 0-000-000-0000 for information about lead in drinking water. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Hotline To request information on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe consumer product or a prod- uct-related injury call 1-800-638- 2772, or visit CPSC's Web site at: xxx.xxxx.xxx. Health and Environmental Agencies Some cities, states, and tribes have their own rules for lead-based paint activities. Check with your local agency to see which laws apply to you. Most agencies can also provide information on finding a lead abatement firm in your area, and on possible sources of financial aid for reducing lead hazards. Receive up-to-date address and phone information for your local con- tacts on the Internet at xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxx or contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. For the hearing impaired, call the Federal Information Relay Service at 0-000-000-0000 to access any of the phone numbers in this brochure. EPA Regional Offices Your Regional EPA Office can provide further information regard- ing regulations and lead protection programs. EPA Regional Offices Region 1 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 1 Suite 1100 (CPT) Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 0 (000) 000-0000 Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 2 2890 Woodbridge Avenue Building 000, Xxxx Xxxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 3 (3WC33) 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (215) 814-5000 Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 4 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 5 (DT-8J) 00 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Chicago, IL 60604-3666 (000) 000-0000 Xxxxxx 0 (Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 6 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 12th Floor Dallas, TX 75202-2733 (000) 000-0000 Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 7 (ARTD-RALI) 000 X. 0xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (913) 551-7020 Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 8 000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada) Regional Lead Contact U.S. Region 9 00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (415) 947-4164 Region 00 (Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 10 Toxics Section WCM-128 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 CPSC Regional Offices Your Regional CPSC Office can provide further information regard- ing regulations and consumer product safety. Eastern Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 000 Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (212) 620-4120 Central Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 Western Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000-X Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 HUD Lead Office Please contact HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control for information on lead regulations, outreach efforts, and lead hazard control and research grant programs.

Checking Your Family for Lead. Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high lev- els of lead. To reduce your child's exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have. Children's blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from From 6 to 12 months of oF age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of oF age. Consult your doctor for For advice on testing your children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of oF lead. Blood tests are usually recommended forFor: ◆ Children at ages 1 and 2. ◆ Children or other family Family members who have been exposed to high levels of oF lead. ◆ Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan. Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if iF more testing will be needed. Identifying Lead Hazards Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if iF it is in good condition, and it is not on an impact or friction surfaceFriction surFace, like a window. It is defined deFined by the federal Federal government as paint with lead levels greater than or equal to 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, or more than 0.5% by weight. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking or damaged) is a hazard and needs immediate attention. It may also be a hazard when found Found on sur- faces Faces that children can chew or that get a lot of oF wear-and-tear, such as: ◆ Windows and window xxxxx. ◆ Doors and door framesFrames. ◆ Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches. Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious hazards. Lead dust can form Form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded, or heated. Dust also forms Forms when painted surfaces surFaces bump or rub togeth- er. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces surFaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it. The following Following two federal Federal standards have been set for For lead hazards in dust: ◆ 40 micrograms per square foot Foot (µg/ft2Ft2) and higher for floorsFor Floors, including carpeted floorsFloors. ◆ 250 µg/ft2 Ft2 and higher for For interior window xxxxx. Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. The following Following two federal Federal standards have been set for For lead hazards in residential soil: ◆ 400 parts per million (ppm) and higher in play areas of oF bare soil. ◆ 1,200 ppm (average) and higher in bare soil in the remainder of oF the yard. The only way to find Find out if iF paint, dust and soil lead hazards exist is to test for For them. The next page describes the most common meth- ods used. Checking Your Home for Lead Just knowing that a home has lead- based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard. You can get your home tested for For lead in several different diFFerent ways: ◆ A paint inspection tells you whether your home has lead-based paint and where it is located. It won’t tell you whether or not your home currently has lead hazards. ◆ A risk assessment tells you if iF your home currently has any lead hazards from From lead in paint, dust, or soil. It also tells you what actions to take to address any hazards. ◆ A combination risk assessment and inspection tells you if iF your home has any lead hazards and if iF your home has any lead-based paint, and where the lead-based paint is located. Hire a trained and certified certiFied testing profes- proFes- sional who will use a range of oF reliable methods when testing your home. ◆ Visual inspection of oF paint condition and location. ◆ A portable x-ray fluorescence Fluorescence (XRF) machine. ◆ Lab tests of oF paint, dust, and soil samples. There are state and federal Federal programs in place to ensure that testing is done safelysaFely, reliably, and effectivelyeFFectively. Contact your state or local agency (see bottom of oF page 11) for For more informationinFormation, or call 0-000-000-XXXX (5323) for For a list of oF contacts in your area. Home test kits for lead are available, but may not always be accurate. Consumers should not rely on these kits before beFore doing renovations or to assure safetysaFety. What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family’s risk: ◆ If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint. ◆ Clean up paint chips immediately. ◆ Clean floors, window frames, window xxxxx, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop or sponge with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for speciFically For lead. REMEMBER: NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS. ◆ Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas. ◆ Wash children’s hands often, especial- ly before they eat and before nap time and bed time. ◆ Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifierspaciFiers, toys, and stuffed stuFFed animals regularly. ◆ Keep children from chewing window xxxxx or other painted surfaces. ◆ Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil. ◆ Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead. Reducing Lead Hazards In The Home Removing lead improperly can increase the hazard to your family by spreading even more lead dust around the house. Always use a professional who is trained to remove lead hazards safely. In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition: ◆ You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing dam- aged painted surfaces surFaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions (called “interim controls”) are not permanent solutions and will need ongo- ing attention. ◆ To permanently remove lead hazards, you should hire a certified certiFied lead “xxxxx- ment” contractor. Abatement (or perma- nent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not permanent removal. Always hire a person with special training for For correcting lead problems—someone who knows how to do this work safely saFely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified CertiFied contractors will employ qualified qualiFied workers and follow Follow strict safety saFety rules as set by their state or by the federal Federal government. Once the work is completed, dust cleanup activities must be repeated until testing indicates that lead dust levels are below the followingFollowing: ◆ 40 micrograms per square foot Foot (µg/ft2Ft2) for floorsFor Floors, including carpeted floorsFloors; ◆ 250 µg/ft2 for Ft2 For interior windows xxxxx; and ◆ 400 µg/ft2 for Ft2 For window troughs. Call your state or local agency (see bottom of oF page 11) for For help in locating certified professionals certiFied proFessionals in your area and to see if financial iF Financial assistance is available. Remodeling or Renovating a Home With Lead-Based Paint Take precautions before beFore your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovating any- thing that disturbs painted surfaces surFaces (such as scraping off oFF paint or tearing out walls): ◆ Have the area tested for lead-based paint. ◆ Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, high temperature heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These actions create large amounts of oF lead dust and fumesFumes. Lead dust can remain in your home long after aFter the work is done. ◆ Temporarily move your family (espe- cially children and pregnant women) out of oF the apartment or house until the work is done and the area is prop- erly cleaned. If IF you can’t move your familyFamily, at least completely seal off oFF the work area. ◆ Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find Find out about other safety saFety measures by calling 10-800000-424000-LEADXXXX. Ask for For the brochure “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.” This brochure explains what to do beforebeFore, during, and after aFter renovations. If IF you have already completed renova- tions or remodeling that could have released lead-based paint or dust, get your young children tested and follow Follow the steps outlined on page 7 of oF this brochure. If not conducted properly, certain types of renova- tions can release lead from paint and dust into the air. Other Sources of Lead While paint, dust, and soil are the most common sources of lead, other lead sources also exist. ◆ Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find Find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of oF lead. If IF you think your plumbing might have lead in it: • Use only cold water for For drinking and cooking. • Run water for For 15 to 30 seconds before beFore drinking it, especially if iF you have not used your water for For a few Few hours. ◆ The job. If IF you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before beFore coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from From the rest of oF your familyFamily’s clothes. ◆ Old painted toys and furniture. ◆ Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. ◆ Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air. ◆ Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniturereFinishing Furniture. ◆ Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “xxxxx” and “xxxxxxx” used to treat an upset stomach. For More Information The National Lead Information Center Call 0-000-000-XXXX (424-5323) to learn how to protect children from From lead poisoning and for For other information inFormation on lead hazards. To access lead information inFormation via the web, visit xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxx and xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxxxxx/xxxx/. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline Call 0-000-000-0000 for information For inFormation about lead in drinking water. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Hotline To request information inFormation on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe unsaFe consumer product or a prod- uct-related injury call 1-800-638- 2772, or visit CPSC's Web site at: xxx.xxxx.xxx. Health and Environmental Agencies Some cities, states, and tribes have their own rules for For lead-based paint activities. Check with your local agency to see which laws apply to you. Most agencies can also provide information inFormation on finding Finding a lead abatement firm Firm in your area, and on possible sources of financial oF Financial aid for For reducing lead hazards. Receive up-to-date address and phone information for inFormation For your local con- tacts on the Internet at xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxx or contact the National Lead Information InFormation Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. For the hearing impaired, call the Federal Information InFormation Relay Service at 0-000-000-0000 to access any of oF the phone numbers in this brochure. EPA Regional Offices Your Regional EPA Office can provide further information regard- ing regulations and lead protection programs. EPA Regional Offices Region 1 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 1 Suite 1100 (CPT) Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 0 (000) 000-0000 Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 2 2890 Woodbridge Avenue Building 000, Xxxx Xxxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 3 (3WC33) 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (215) 814-5000 Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 4 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 5 (DT-8J) 00 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Chicago, IL 60604-3666 (000) 000-0000 Xxxxxx 0 (Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 6 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 12th Floor Dallas, TX 75202-2733 (000) 000-0000 Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 7 (ARTD-RALI) 000 X. 0xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (913) 551-7020 Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 8 000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada) Regional Lead Contact U.S. Region 9 00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (415) 947-4164 Region 00 (Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx) Regional Lead Contact U.S. EPA Region 10 Toxics Section WCM-128 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (000) 000-0000 CPSC Regional Offices Your Regional CPSC Office can provide further information regard- ing regulations and consumer product safety. Eastern Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 000 Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (212) 620-4120 Central Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 Western Regional Center Consumer Product Safety Commission 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000-X Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 (000) 000-0000 HUD Lead Office Please contact HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control for information on lead regulations, outreach efforts, and lead hazard control and research grant programs.