Recycled/Recyc+lablePrinted with vegetable oil based inks on recycled paper (minimum 50% postconsumer) process chlorine free.

If you think your home has high levels of lead:

� Get your young children tested for lead, even ifthey seem healthy.

� Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toysoften.

� 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 withpeeling or chipping paint.

� Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dustwhen remodeling or renovating (call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines).

� Don’t use a belt-sander, propane torch, hightemperature heat gun, scraper, or sandpaper onpainted surfaces that may contain lead.

� Don’t try to remove lead-based paint yourself.

Simple Steps To Protect Your Family From Lead Hazards

ProtectYourFamilyFromLead InYourHome

United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency

United StatesConsumer ProductSafety Commission

United StatesDepartment of Housingand Urban Development

Many houses and apartments built before 1978 havepaint that contains high levels of lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can

pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.

OWNERS, BUYERS, and RENTERS areencouraged to check for lead (see page 6)before renting, buying or renovating pre-1978 housing.

Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting, buying, or renovating pre-1978 housing:

LANDLORDS have to disclose known infor-mation on lead-based paint and lead-basedpaint hazards before leases take effect.Leases must include a disclosure aboutlead-based paint.

SELLERS have to disclose known informa-tion on lead-based paint and lead-basedpaint hazards before selling a house. Salescontracts must include a disclosure aboutlead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10days to check for lead.

RENOVATORS disturbing more than 2 squarefeet of painted surfaces have to give youthis pamphlet before starting work.

Are You Planning To Buy, Rent, or Renovatea Home Built Before 1978?

IMPORTANT!

Lead From Paint, Dust, andSoil Can Be Dangerous If Not

Managed Properly

FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before theyare born.

FACT: Even children who seem healthy canhave high levels of lead in their bodies.

FACT: People can get lead in their bodies bybreathing or swallowing lead dust, or byeating soil or paint chips containinglead.

FACT: People have many options for reducinglead hazards. In most cases, lead-basedpaint that is in good condition is not ahazard.

FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperlycan increase the danger to your family.

If you think your home might have lead hazards, read this pamphlet to learn some

simple steps to protect your family.

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People can get lead in their body if they:

� Breathe in lead dust (especially duringrenovations that disturb painted surfaces).

� Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths.

� Eat paint chips or soil that containslead.

Lead is even more dangerous to childrenunder the age of 6:

� At this age children’s brains and nervoussystems are more sensitive to the dam-aging effects of lead.

� Children’s growing bodies absorb morelead.

� Babies and young children often puttheir hands and other objects in theirmouths. These objects can have leaddust on them.

Lead is also dangerous to women ofchildbearing age:

� Women with a high lead level in theirsystem prior to pregnancy would exposea fetus to lead through the placentaduring fetal development.

Lead Gets in the Body in Many Ways

Childhoodlead poisoningremains amajor environmen-tal healthproblem inthe U.S.

Even childrenwho appearhealthy canhave danger-ous levels oflead in theirbodies.

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Lead’s Effects

It is important to know that even exposureto low levels of lead can severely harm children.

In children, lead can cause:

� Nervous system and kidney damage.

� Learning disabilities, attention deficitdisorder, and decreased intelligence.

� Speech, language, and behavior problems.

� Poor muscle coordination.

� Decreased muscle and bone growth.

� Hearing damage.

While low-lead exposure is most common, exposure to high levels of lead can have devastating effects onchildren, including seizures, uncon-sciousness, and, in some cases, death.

Although children are especially susceptible to lead exposure, lead can be dangerous for adults too.

In adults, lead can cause:

� Increased chance of illness duringpregnancy.

� Harm to a fetus, including brain damage or death.

� Fertility problems (in men and women).

� High blood pressure.

� Digestive problems.

� Nerve disorders.

� Memory and concentration problems.

� Muscle and joint pain.

Brain or Nerve Damage

Slowed Growth

Hearing Problems

ReproductiveProblems(Adults)

DigestiveProblems

Lead affectsthe body inmany ways.

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Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal governmentbanned lead-based paint from housing in1978. Some states stopped its use evenearlier. Lead can be found:

� In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.

� In apartments, single-family homes, andboth private and public housing.

� Inside and outside of the house.

� In soil around a home. (Soil can pick uplead from exterior paint or other sourcessuch as past use of leaded gas in cars.)

To reduce your child's exposure to lead,get your child checked, have your hometested (especially if your home has paintin poor condition and was built before1978), and fix any hazards you may have.Children's blood lead levels tend to increaserapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, andtend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.

Consult your doctor for advice on testingyour children. A simple blood test candetect high levels of lead. Blood tests areusually recommended for:

� Children at ages 1 and 2.

� Children or other family members whohave been exposed to high levels of lead.

� Children who should be tested underyour state or local health screening plan.

Your doctor can explain what the test resultsmean and if more testing will be needed.

Get yourchildren andhome testedif you thinkyour homehas high lev-els of lead.

Checking Your Family for Lead

Where Lead-Based Paint Is Found

In general,the older yourhome, themore likely ithas lead-based paint.

Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard ifit is in good condition, and it is not on animpact or friction surface, like a window. Itis defined by the federal government aspaint with lead levels greater than or equalto 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, ormore 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 alot of wear-and-tear, such as:

� Windows and window sills.

� Doors and door frames.

� Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches.

Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded, orheated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub togeth-er. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that peopletouch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum,sweep, or walk through it. The following two federal standards havebeen 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 sills.

Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil orwhen people bring soil into the house on their shoes. The followingtwo federal standards have been set for lead hazards in residentialsoil:

� 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 ofthe yard.

The only way to find out if paint, dust and soil lead hazards exist isto test for them. The next page describes the most common meth-ods used.

Lead frompaint chips,which youcan see, andlead dust,which youcan’t alwayssee, can bothbe serious hazards.

Identifying Lead Hazards

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You can get your home tested for lead inseveral different ways:

� A paint inspection tells you whether yourhome has lead-based paint and where itis located. It won’t tell you whether or notyour home currently has lead hazards.

� A risk assessment tells you if your homecurrently has any lead hazards from leadin paint, dust, or soil. It also tells you whatactions to take to address any hazards.

� A combination risk assessment andinspection tells you if your home has any lead hazards and if your home hasany lead-based paint, and where thelead-based paint is located.

Hire a trained and certified testing profes-sional who will use a range of reliablemethods when testing your home.

� Visual inspection of paint condition and location.

� A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF)machine.

� Lab tests of paint, dust, and soilsamples.

There are state and federal programs inplace to ensure that testing is done safely,reliably, and effectively. Contact your stateor local agency (see bottom of page 11) formore information, or call 1-800-424-LEAD(5323) for a list of contacts in your area.

Home test kits for lead are available, butmay not always be accurate. Consumersshould not rely on these kits before doingrenovations or to assure safety.

Checking Your Home for Lead

Just knowingthat a homehas lead-based paintmay not tellyou if there is a hazard.

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If you suspect that your house has leadhazards, you can take some immediatesteps to reduce your family’s risk:

� If you rent, notify your landlord ofpeeling or chipping paint.

� Clean up paint chips immediately.

� Clean floors, window frames, windowsills, and other surfaces weekly. Use amop or sponge with warm water and ageneral all-purpose cleaner or a cleanermade specifically for lead. REMEMBER:NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACHPRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEYCAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS.

� Thoroughly rinse sponges and mopheads after cleaning dirty or dustyareas.

� Wash children’s hands often, especial-ly before they eat and before nap timeand bed time.

� Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles,pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.

� Keep children from chewing windowsills or other painted surfaces.

� Clean or remove shoes beforeentering your home to avoidtracking in lead from soil.

� Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such asspinach and dairy products.Children with good diets absorbless lead.

What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family

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In addition to day-to-day cleaning and goodnutrition:

� You can temporarily reduce lead hazardsby taking actions such as repairing dam-aged painted surfaces and planting grassto cover soil with high lead levels. Theseactions (called “interim controls”) are notpermanent solutions and will need ongo-ing attention.

� To permanently remove lead hazards,you should hire a certified lead “abate-ment” contractor. Abatement (or perma-nent hazard elimination) methodsinclude removing, sealing, or enclosinglead-based paint with special materials.Just painting over the hazard with regularpaint is not permanent removal.

Always hire a person with special trainingfor correcting lead problems—someonewho knows how to do this work safely andhas the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employqualified workers and follow strict safetyrules as set by their state or by the federalgovernment.

Once the work is completed, dust cleanupactivities must be repeated until testingindicates that lead dust levels are below thefollowing:

� 40 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2)for floors, including carpeted floors;

� 250 µg/ft2 for interior windows sills; and

� 400 µg/ft2 for window troughs.

Call your state or local agency (see bottomof page 11) for help in locating certifiedprofessionals in your area and to see iffinancial assistance is available.

Reducing Lead Hazards In The Home

Removinglead improperlycan increasethe hazard toyour familyby spreadingeven morelead dustaround thehouse.

Always use a professional whois trained toremove lead hazards safely.

Take precautions before your contractor oryou begin remodeling or renovating any-thing that disturbs painted surfaces (suchas scraping off paint or tearing out walls):

� Have the area tested for lead-basedpaint.

� Do not use a belt-sander, propanetorch, high temperature heat gun, dryscraper, or dry sandpaper to removelead-based paint. These actions createlarge amounts of lead dust and fumes.Lead dust can remain in your homelong 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 yourfamily, at least completely seal off thework area.

� Follow other safety measures toreduce lead hazards. You can find outabout other safety measures by calling 1-800-424-LEAD. Ask for the brochure“Reducing Lead Hazards WhenRemodeling Your Home.” This brochureexplains what to do before, during, and after renovations.

If you have already completed renova-tions or remodeling that could havereleased lead-based paint or dust, getyour young children tested and followthe steps outlined on page 7 of thisbrochure.

Remodeling or Renovating a Home WithLead-Based Paint

If not conductedproperly, certain typesof renova-tions canrelease leadfrom paintand dust intothe air.

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� Drinking water. Your home might haveplumbing with lead or lead solder. Callyour local health department or watersupplier to find out about testing yourwater. You cannot see, smell, or tastelead, and boiling your water will not getrid of lead. If you think your plumbingmight have lead in it:

• Use only cold water for drinking andcooking.

• Run water for 15 to 30 secondsbefore drinking it, especially if youhave not used your water for a fewhours.

� The job. If you work with lead, youcould bring it home on your hands orclothes. Shower and change clothesbefore coming home. Launder your workclothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes.

� Old painted toys and furniture.

� Food and liquids stored in lead crystalor lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.

� Lead smelters or other industries thatrelease lead into the air.

� Hobbies that use lead, such as makingpottery or stained glass, or refinishingfurniture.

� Folk remedies that contain lead, such as“greta” and “azarcon” used to treat anupset stomach.

Other Sources of Lead

While paint, dust,and soil are themost commonsources of lead,other leadsources also exist.

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The National Lead Information CenterCall 1-800-424-LEAD (424-5323) to learnhow to protect children from lead poisoningand for other information on lead hazards.To access lead information via the web, visitwww.epa.gov/lead andwww.hud.gov/offices/lead/.

EPA’s Safe Drinking Water HotlineCall 1-800-426-4791 for information aboutlead in drinking water.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Hotline

To request information on lead inconsumer products, or to report anunsafe consumer product or a prod-uct-related injury call 1-800-638-2772, or visit CPSC's Web site at:www.cpsc.gov.

Health and Environmental AgenciesSome cities, states, and tribes havetheir own rules for lead-based paintactivities. Check with your local agency tosee which laws apply to you. Most agenciescan also provide information on finding alead abatement firm in your area, and onpossible sources of financial aid for reducinglead hazards. Receive up-to-date addressand phone information for your local con-tacts on the Internet at www.epa.gov/leador contact the National Lead InformationCenter at 1-800-424-LEAD.

For More Information

For the hearing impaired, call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to access any of

the phone numbers in this brochure.

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EPA Regional Offices

Region 1 (Connecticut, Massachusetts,Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island,Vermont)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 1Suite 1100 (CPT)One Congress StreetBoston, MA 02114-2023 1 (888) 372-7341

Region 2 (New Jersey, New York,Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 22890 Woodbridge AvenueBuilding 209, Mail Stop 225Edison, NJ 08837-3679(732) 321-6671

Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland,Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC,West Virginia)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 3 (3WC33)1650 Arch StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19103(215) 814-5000

Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia,Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,South Carolina, Tennessee)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 461 Forsyth Street, SWAtlanta, GA 30303(404) 562-8998

Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 5 (DT-8J)77 West Jackson BoulevardChicago, IL 60604-3666(312) 886-6003

EPA Regional Offices

Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, NewMexico, Oklahoma, Texas)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 61445 Ross Avenue, 12th FloorDallas, TX 75202-2733(214) 665-7577

Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,Nebraska)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 7(ARTD-RALI)901 N. 5th StreetKansas City, KS 66101(913) 551-7020

Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, NorthDakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 8999 18th Street, Suite 500Denver, CO 80202-2466(303) 312-6021

Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii,Nevada)

Regional Lead Contact U.S. Region 975 Hawthorne StreetSan Francisco, CA 94105(415) 947-4164

Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon,Washington)

Regional Lead ContactU.S. EPA Region 10Toxics Section WCM-1281200 Sixth AvenueSeattle, WA 98101-1128(206) 553-1985

Your Regional EPA Office can provide further information regard-ing regulations and lead protection programs.

CPSC Regional Offices

Eastern Regional CenterConsumer Product Safety Commission201 Varick Street, Room 903New York, NY 10014(212) 620-4120

Central Regional CenterConsumer Product Safety Commission230 South Dearborn Street, Room 2944Chicago, IL 60604(312) 353-8260

Western Regional CenterConsumer Product Safety Commission1301 Clay Street, Suite 610-NOakland, CA 94612(510) 637-4050

HUD Lead Office

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Please contact HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead HazardControl for information on lead regulations, outreach efforts, andlead hazard control and research grant programs.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentOffice of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control451 Seventh Street, SW, P-3206Washington, DC 20410(202) 755-1785

Your Regional CPSC Office can provide further information regard-ing regulations and consumer product safety.

U.S. EPA Washington DC 20460 EPA747-K-99-001U.S. CPSC Washington DC 20207 June 2003U.S. HUD Washington DC 20410

This document is in the public domain. It may be reproduced by an individual ororganization without permission. Information provided in this booklet is basedupon current scientific and technical understanding of the issues presented andis reflective of the jurisdictional boundaries established by the statutes governingthe co-authoring agencies. Following the advice given will not necessarily pro-vide complete protection in all situations or against all health hazards that canbe caused by lead exposure.

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  Rhode Island Information  

      Rhode Island Lead Laws        and Contact Information 

   

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Rhode Island Contact Information  

 Department of Environmental Management  Information about DEM Regulation # 24,  Removal of Lead Based Paint from Exterior Surfaces Office of Air Resources      401‐222‐2808, Ext. 7013 www.dem.ri.gov  Exterior Lead Paint Certification Program, Compliance Assistance Office of Technical & Customer Assistance 401‐222‐6822, Ext. 4412  Exterior Lead Paint Removal Complaints Office of Compliance & Inspection 401‐222‐1360    Department of Health  Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Division of Family Health 1‐800‐942‐7434 Environmental Lead Program 401‐222‐1417 www.health.ri.gov  Office of Occupational Health OSHA Consultation Program 401‐222‐2438   Housing Resources Commission  Information about the Lead Hazard Mitigation Law 401‐222‐LEAD (5323) www.hrc.ri.gov 

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What You Should Know About  

 Childhood Lead Poisoning Screening:   All children under six years of age must be screened  for  lead poisoning annually.   Lead screening  is a simple  blood  test. Ask  your  doctor  about  getting  a  lead  test  for  your child at your next visit. Call the Family Health Information Line at 1‐800‐942‐7434 to learn how to protect your children from lead poisoning.  Lead  Inspections:   The Department  of Health  certifies  inspectors who can  test paint, soil, dust, and water  in and around your home  for  lead.  For a list of inspectors call 1‐800‐942‐7434.  Lead Hazard Reduction:  When removing interior lead based paint, you must  follow state regulations.   Lead hazard reduction must be done by contractors certified by the Department of Health.   For a list of licensed contractors  call  1‐800‐942‐7434.  The  Rhode  Island  Department  of Environmental  Management  regulates  exterior  lead‐based  paint removal.   For  information, call 401‐222‐1360. The Department of Health can enforce lead hazard reduction on properties where significantly lead poisoned  children  reside.  For  information  about  properties  that  may pose a high risk for lead poisoning, visit www.health.ri.gov or call 401‐222‐1417.  Renovation/Remodeling:    If  you  are  planning  a  renovation  or remodeling project that will disturb lead paint surfaces, you must follow state regulations.   For information on how to safely conduct renovation work  call  1‐800‐942‐7434  and  request  a  copy  of  the brochure,  ʺKeep  It Clean:  An  Insidersʹ  Guide  to  Lead  Safe  Painting  and  Home Improvementʺ.  It can also be downloaded at www.health.ri.gov.  If you are  hiring  someone  to  conduct  renovations  on  your  property,  the remodelor  or  renovator must  obtain  your  signature  on  a Notification Form and give you a copy of the Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home pamphlet for your awareness.  Residential Rental Property:    If you own a rental unit  in Rhode  Island that was built before 1978, state law requires most landlords to attend a Lead Hazard Awareness  Seminar  and maintain your  rental unit using approved lead hazard maintenance practices.  For information, call (401) 222‐LEAD(5323), or visit www.hrc.ri.gov.                           

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The Rhode Island Lead Law   Financial  Assistance:    A  state  tax  credit  of  up  to  $5,000  per  unit  is available for some lead hazard reduction work and a tax credit of up to $1,500 per unit  is available for some  lead hazard mitigation work.   Call 401‐222‐6262 and ask about the ʺResidential Lead Abatement Tax Credit Formʺ.   Grants and loans are also available to help property owners fix lead  hazards  on  their  properties.  For  a  list  of  lead  hazard  reduction resources, visit the Housing Resources Commission at www.hrc.ri.gov or call 401‐222‐LEAD (5323).   Disclosure  of  Lead  Hazards:    Rhode  Island  law  requires  owners  of properties  built  before  1978  to disclose  known  information  about  lead exposure hazards and potential  lead  exposure hazards prior  to  sale or lease  (written or oral) of  residential property  in Rhode  Island. The  law requires:   Landlords and Sellers to disclose available information about lead hazards  or  potential  lead  hazards,  provide  available  reports, include a lead warning and disclosure acknowledgment statement in  the  lease or sales contract and give out  this pamphlet before a lease  takes  effect  or  a  buyer  becomes  obligated  under  a  sales contract. 

  Sellers  must  allow  buyers  a  ten‐day  period  to  conduct  a  lead inspection  or  risk  assessment  (at  the  buyer’s  expense)  before buyers become obligated under a sales contract. 

  

For education, advocacy,  and parent support, call  

The Childhood  Lead Action Project, at 401‐785‐1310 or  

visit www.leadsafekids.org Recycled/RecyclablePrinted with vegetable oil based inks on recycled paper (mi