Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint. Lead paint was banned from residential use in 1978. While not all lead-based paint is a lead exposure hazard, the condition or location of lead paint is what puts a child at risk for lead poisoning. To learn more, read the Lead Hazards fact sheet below or visit the CDC website. 

 

Lead is rarely found in water before it enters your home, but the plumbing in your home could be contributing lead to the water you drink. Lead is most likely to be found in your water first thing in the morning after the water sits in the pipes all night, or any length of time where it sits more than six hours. To learn more, read the Lead in Drinking Water fact sheet below or visit the CDC website or EPA website. The only proper way to test your water is with a water test kit. Order one at DC water [insert link] 

 

Before embarking on a DIY project in your home, it is very important to know you will be disturbing lead paint. Simple test kits are available at your local hardware store, or you can hire a licensed professional. It is important to understand that DIY does not apply to landlords; landlords who choose to do work themselves on their rental properties must, as a matter of law, comply with Federal EPA Renovate, Repair, and Paint (RRP) laws. To work on their own rental properties, landlords must be RRP certified or hire an RRP certified contractor. For more advice for DIYers, visit the DOEE website. 

News about heavy metals found in baby food can leave parents with a lot of questions. The American Academy of Pediatrics has current information about the risk of toxic metal exposure to children, and how to help minimize it. Visit the HealthyChildren.org website today.

 

News about heavy metals found in baby food can leave parents with a lot of questions. The American Academy of Pediatrics has current information about the risk of toxic metal exposure to children, and how to help minimize it. Visit the HealthyChildren.org website today.

 

Some adults work in industries or have hobbies that expose them to lead. These adults may bring lead home with them and expose their families to lead without knowing. This dust can be tracked onto carpets, floors, furniture, and other surfaces that a child may touch. Learn more by reading the Take Home Lead fact sheet below or visiting the CDC website.

 

Some toys, especially some imported toys, antique toys, and toy jewelry may contain lead. If you have a small child in your household, make sure the child does not have access to toys, jewelry, or other items that may contain lead. Learn more by visiting the CDC website.

 

Lead has been found in products typically used as cosmetics or in religious ceremonies. Children and adults have been exposed to high levels of lead by ingesting a product generically called “sindoor.” Though not intended to be food, sindoor might be used by some as a food additive. Traditionally, Hindu, and some Sikh, married women wear the red sindoor powder in the parting of their hair to indicate marital status. Products such as kohl, kajal, and surma can also contain lead. Learn more by visiting the US Food and Drug website.

 

Lead has been found in candies and some powders and tablets given for arthritis, infertility, upset stomach, menstrual cramps, colic, and other illnesses traditionally used by East Indian, Indian, Middle Eastern, West Asian, and Hispanic cultures. Learn more by reading this Spoonful of Lead fact sheet or visiting the CDC website.

 

Indoor firing ranges are popular among law enforcement and recreational shooters because they offer protection from inclement weather conditions and can be operated around the clock under controlled environmental conditions. However, many firing range facilities lack environmental and occupational controls to protect the health of shooters and range personnel from effects of airborne lead, noise, and other potential exposures. Learn more by watching this video title ‘You Like to Shoot? Lead Poisoning 101 or visiting the CDC website.

 

Most adults with lead poisoning do not look or feel sick. Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle/joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability, and loss of sex drive. Lead exposure can cause high blood pressure and brain, kidney and reproductive health issues in adults.

Very small amounts of lead can have a serious and permanent effect on a child's growth and development. The amount of lead dust that can poison a child is so tiny, you can’t see it on your hands, toys, floors, or other surfaces. Even small amounts of lead in their body can harm your child's ability to think, learn, and focus. Lead poisoning can cause: 

1.  Delays in speech, learning, growth and development 
2.  Hyperactivity and behavior challenges  
3. Lower IQ and lower achievement in school 
4. Damage to a child’s body, including brain, kidney and nervous system 
5. Hearing loss  
6. Death

• Process for lead testing (from Physician test to case manager) [insert link]
• Find a Physician for testing [insert link] 
• Twice By Two https://dchealth.dc.gov/node/1747836 
• Health Check [insert link]

If your home was built before 1978 it may contain lead paint. Dust from lead paint is a major source of lead poisoning in children, but you can take steps to prevent exposure to your family. It is important to follow lead-safe guidelines when doing repairs and renovations to your home, or to hire a lead-safe certified contractor. Lead paint can flake off into soil around your house as another source of lead exposure to your family. Homebuyers and renters have the right to know whether lead hazards are present in a home before signing contracts or leases. If you are buying properties built before 1978, you should be provided with:

• Information about identifying lead in your home Information about any known lead-based paint hazards A 10-day period to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint hazards

If you have concerns, then talk to your landlord (or the seller) to get a lead inspection from a certified inspector before signing your lease. For more information, visit https://www.epa.gov/lead/questions-and-answers-homeowners-and-renters-about-understanding-lead-inspections-risk

As owners, landlords, agents, and managers of rental property, you play an important role in protecting the health of your tenants and their children. Buildings built before 1978 are much more likely to have lead-based paint. Federal law requires you to provide certain important information about lead paint before a prospective renter is obligating under lease to rent from you. Learn more at https://www.epa.gov/lead/real-estate-disclosures-about-potential-lead-hazards

The District of Columbia’s Lead-Hazard Prevention and Elimination Act requires property owners to ensure their pre-1978 residential property has no lead-based paint hazards. By law, nonintact paint in a pre-1978 property is a presumed lead-based paint hazard unless the owner has documentation proving the paint is not lead-based. Non-intact paint is also a housing code violation. The District requires owners to disclose lead hazards to potential renters and home buyers. A permit from the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) also may be required before renovating or abating a pre-1978 property. Can be a drop down or accordion list. Group by 2 section: Tenants and Owners 1 | Environmental Hazards section 2

• DC lead laws for tenants and owners: doee.dc.gov/service/lead-district-tenants-property-owners (1)
• DC housing code standards: dcra.dc.gov/service/dc-housing-code-standards (1)
• Financial help to reduce lead-based paint hazards: Contact DOEE’s Lead Reduction Program at Interested residents can either email [email protected] or call (202) 299-3316. For more information, visit doee.dc.gov/service/lrp. (2)
• Financial help to replace lead pipes: Contact DOEE’s Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program at doee.dc.gov/node/1451331, call 311, or email [email protected]. Check your property for lead service lines with DC Water’s map at dcwater.com/servicemap. (2)
• Free drinking water lead test kit: dcwater.com/leadtest, (202) 612-3440, or [email protected] (2)
• District’s mold laws and DOEE-licensed mold professionals: doee.dc.gov/service/mold (1)
• How to test your home for radon: doee.dc.gov/radon or (202) 535-2302 (2)
• Help with utility bills, energy efficiency, or solar: doee.dc.gov/energyassistance or (202) 299-5271 (1)
• More District Government resources for tenants and owners: frontdoor.dc.gov and doee.dc.gov/page/resources-multi-family-building-residents-and-managers (1)

Resources to Maintain a Lead-Safe, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home

 

1. Soil
2. Healthy Housing Program: https://dchealth.dc.gov/node/1747831 
3. Where and how to get lead testing services for my home (Contractors, Tenants, Property Owners) i. https://doee.dc.gov/node/1279221 
4. Lead and Drinking water information
   i. https://doee.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddoe/service_content/attachments/Sources%20of%20Lead%20in%20Drinking%20Water.pdf 
5. Financial Services for Lead Prevention
   i. LPRAP information/ links
   ii. DC Water Financial help