| Why
is lead so dangerous? |
| Who is
at risk for lead poisoning? |
| What
can you do to protect your child from lead poisoning? |
| What
are the risks for adults? |
| What
are some other sources of lead poisoning? |
| Where
is lead most often found in your home? |
| When
should a home be inspected for lead? |
| How
should I prepare for a lead inspection? |
| What
should I know before renting? |
| What
are my requirements when selling my home? |
| What
should I do before remodeling my home that was built
before 1978? |
| What
should I do if my rental unit has chipping, peeling
or flaking paint? |
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Why is lead so
dangerous? |
| |
Lead poisoning causes
irreversible physical and mental disabilities and
can affect nearly every system the body. The effects
of lead poisoning include: |
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|
• Learning disabilities
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Aggressive and violent behavior
• Hearing loss
• Convulsions
• Reduction of motor
control/balance
• Mental retardation
• Death |
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Call the Coalition to
End Childhood Lead Poisoning at 800-370-LEAD for
more information on sources of lead poisoning or
check out their website at www.leadsafe.org. |
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Who is at risk
for lead poisoning? |
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Children under the
age of six years are most at risk for lead poisoning.
Lead disrupts proper brain development during
these years.
Pregnant women, and their unborn children, are
also at risk. Elevated blood lead levels in pregnant
women can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage,
stillbirth or low birth weight babies. |
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What can you
do to protect your child from lead poisoning? |
 |
• Wash your hands
before preparing foods.
• Make sure your child's hands, toys and pacifier
are washed often.
• Do not scrape old paint.
• Do
not dry sweep. Use wet or damp cleaning methods
for floors and surfaces.
• Use only cold
water from the tap for drinking, cooking and making
baby formula.
• Avoid using materials
with lead when doing hobbies or crafts.
•
Use vacuums with HEPA
filters.
• Don't let children play
in bare soil.
• If you rent, notify
your landlord of any chipping, peeling or flaking
paint. |
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What are the
risks for adults? |
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Adults are at risk for
being poisoned with the effects ranging from high
blood pressure to early death. |
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What are some
other sources of lead poisoning? |
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Vinyl mini-blinds, foreign
made pottery, some cosmetics, some home remedies,
and parents' jobs or hobbies. Call the Coalition
to End Childhood Lead Poisoning at 800-370-LEAD
for more information on sources of lead poisoning
or check out their website at www.leadsafe.org. |
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Where is lead
most often found in your home? |
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Small children are most poisoned
by invisible lead dust that is released when paint
is peeling, damaged or disturbed. This can be caused
by the opening and closing of windows, doors that
rub or old painted surfaces that have been dry sanded.
The dust settles on floors and and other surfaces,
which can easily get on children's hands or toys
and into their mouths. |
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When should a
home be inspected for lead? |
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Any home built before
1978 probably has lead-based paint. A home should
be tested for lead when: |
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• There are or will be children
age six or younger in the home.
• A home
is about to be remodeled, renovated, or repainted.
• A home built before 1978 is being rented
or sold.
• When a child has been found
to be lead poisoned.
• When a property
owner is concerned that a lead hazard.
•
When a property owner is required to test for lead
in order to comply with Maryland standards for rental
housing.
• When a group day care center
that may have lead-based paint is reviewed for licensing
or plans renovations that may disturb lead-based
paint.
• When, under federal law, a buyer
wants to hire an inspector prior to purchasing a
home constructed before 1978. |
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How should I
prepare for a lead inspection? |
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• Wet mop
floors and wet clean window sills
and other surfaces to remove dust that may contain
lead.
• Wash the windowsill and window
well with a sponge dipped in the soapy water. Wash
by pulling the sponge in one direction (right to
left or left to right) and from top to bottom; DO
NOT scrub back and forth.
•
Wash wood or tile floors with a mop, rinsing the
mop in the clean water often (every time you wash
a 6-foot square or so). Get clean, hot rinse water
every time you start a new room.
• Do
not vacuum hard surfaces with a regular vacuum (use
a HEPA filtered vacuum) because this activity is
believed to scatter dust. HEPA Vacuums are available
for rental, loan or purchase. Please contact the
Coalition at (800) 370-5323 for information. |
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What should I
know before renting? |
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Landlords must disclose
known information on lead based paint and lead based
paint hazards before the lease takes effect. Lease
must include a disclosure about lead based paint.
Click here for "Renters:
Know your Rights" page. |
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What are my requirements
when selling my home? |
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Sellers must disclose
known information on lead based paint and lead based
paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts
must include a disclosure about lead based paint.
Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead. |
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What should I
do before remodeling my home that was built before
1978? |
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Have the home inspected
for lead and participate in a lead safety worker
course before beginning work on your home. Grants
and loans are available to help offset the cost
of making your home lead safe. Click
here to view information on "Grants & Loans". |
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What should I
do if my rental unit has chipping, peeling or flaking
paint? |
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By Maryland law, you
should send a Notice of Defect. Your landlord must
respond within 30 days by making repairs in a lead-safe
manner as defined by Maryland law. Click
here for more information on how to file a notice
of defect. |
