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Information on Lead-Based Paint and Lead Poisoning

Lead-based paint was used extensively in public facilities, private homes, and child-occupied buildings before its use was banned by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in 1978. Of the 77 million homes built before 1980, about 57 million, or 75% have been painted with lead-based paint. Recent research has shown that lead is toxic in children at extremely low levels.

In response to this serious public health problem, in 1993, the Louisiana Legislature mandated the Department of Environmental Quality / Air Permits / Manufacturing Section / Asbestos & Lead Group to develop and implement a program to address lead hazards associated with lead-based paint. The LDEQ program, which began in 1994, has the following two-fold purpose:

• To establish and implement rules that govern lead-based paint activities; and
• To establish and implement a public outreach program in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, and other state and local entities that will inform the citizens of Louisiana of lead-based paint hazards.

Be Informed

If you are living in an older home (pre-1978) and plan to do any remodeling or refinishing, please pick up a copy of the Environmental Protection Agency pamphlet "Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home" (EPA 747-R-94-002 4/94). This pamphlet explains about pre-testing, proper equipment use, safe work practices, and cleanup. The pamphlet also provides a checklist and a list of helpful contacts to assist you in getting the job done properly. To download a PDF version of this brochure, please visit www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/rrpamph.pdf. For more information about lead please visit www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm or call the national lead information hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD.

The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service also has an excellent fact sheet, "Removing Lead-based Paint in Homes" (pub. 2564), available from the parish office of the Cooperative Extension Service. For a list of parish offices, click here.

How to Check Your Home for Lead

You can get your home checked in one of two ways, or both:

• A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in your home. It won't tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.
• A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these hazards.
• Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) for a list of contacts in your area.
• Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:
  • Visual inspection of paint condition and location.
  • A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
  • Lab tests of paint samples.
  • Surface dust tests.

Note: Home test kits for lead are available, but studies suggest that they are not always accurate. Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.

SOURCES: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana REALTORS

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