What Is Lead?

Lead is a heavy metal that has been used as an ingredient in paint, particularly in older homes and buildings. As the paint cracks and chips, it can become inhaled or ingested and can cause serious health problems. Lead is toxic to the organs and is especially harmful to children. Even a relatively small dose of lead can lead to poisoning, coma, and even death. Knowing the symptoms of lead poisoning can help you to take action if you or a loved one is exposed to lead in your home.

What Is Lead Poisoning & How Serious Is It?

Lead poisoning (also known as plumbism, colica Pictonum, saturnism, Devon colic, or painter’s colic) is a medical condition caused by increased levels of the heavy metal lead in the body. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. It interferes with the development of the nervous system and is therefore particularly toxic to children, causing potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders. Symptoms include abdominal pain, confusion, headache, anemia, irritability, and in severe cases seizures, coma, and death.

Lead Poisoning Prevention

New Requirements to Protect Children from Lead-Based Paint Hazards

To further protect children from exposure to lead-based paint, EPA is issuing new rules for contractors who renovate or repair housing, child-care facilities or schools built before 1978. Under the new rules, workers must follow lead-safe work practice standards to reduce potential exposure to dangerous levels of lead during renovation and repair activities. More information

Our nation’s goal is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning by 2010. Everyone is at risk of being poisoned by lead. The greatest risk is for children under six because of their small body mass, hand-to-mouth behavior, developing central nervous systems, and high metabolism.

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. If it is deteriorating, it may present a hazard through inhalation or ingestion of paint chips and lead-contaminated dust and soil.

The sale of lead-based paint for residential use has been banned since 1978. Children living in older homes with chipping or peeling paint or in older homes undergoing renovation are at risk. Lead poisoning can cause central nervous system damage, reduced attention span and behavioral problems in children. Pregnant women who are poisoned can transfer lead to a developing fetus. Lead can also harm adults.

If you suspect your child has been poisoned by lead, have a clinic or physician do a blood lead test. At city or county public health clinics, it is usually done at no charge. Pediatricians and other private doctors may be reluctant to order the test. If you have good reason to suspect your child has been poisoned by lead, insist on the test.

Many children with elevated blood lead levels show no symptoms. Possible symptoms include headache, stomachache, behavior disorders, hyperactivity or developmental delay.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Because lead paint in a home can be a threat to children, regulations provide protection to both renters and buyers.

The landlord or rental agent must give the prospective tenants a copy of the pamphlet, Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home, and must inform them of any known lead-based paint hazards in the residential unit and common areas. The landlord is not required to test for lead paint or remove it.

The seller or agent must give the buyer a copy of Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home and inform the buyer of any known lead-based paint hazards. The seller is not required to test for lead. The seller must offer the prospective buyer a 10-day opportunity to have a lead inspection or risk assessment performed. The buyer cannot be obligated to sign a contract until given this opportunity. The parties may agree to adjust the 10-day period.

Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (PDF) (17 pp, 690K About PDF)

Renovation of Older Homes and Child-Occupied Facilities

If the owner or occupant hires a contractor to renovate housing or child-occupied facilities built before 1978, the contractor must generally provide an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet before work begins to the owner, occupant, and parents/guardians of children under six in child-occupied facilities. Until December 21, 2008, either Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (PDF) (17 pp, 690K About PDF) or Renovate Right (PDF) (20 pp, 3.5MB About PDF) may be used. After December 21, 2008, only Renovate Right (PDF) (20 pp, 3.5MB About PDF) may be used.

When remodeling their own homes built before 1978, homeowners should take precautions when disturbing old paint. It is especially hazardous to pregnant women and children under six. Contact the Lead Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD for more information, or contact the National Lead Information Center.

Contact Region 7′s Lead-Based Paint staff at 1-800-223-0425.