Lead Poisoning Prevention

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According to the EPA, if your home was built before 1978, there is a good chance it has lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-containing paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead from paint, including lead-contaminated dust, is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning.

Lead Dust

Lead in household dust results from indoor sources such as old lead paint on surfaces that are frequently in motion or bump or rub together (such as window frames), deteriorating old lead paint on any surface, home repair activities, tracking lead contaminated soil from the outdoors into the indoor environment, or even from lead dust on clothing worn at a job site.

Child touching wall with paint chipping off Even in well-maintained homes, lead dust can form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded or heated during home repair activities. Lead paint chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when the home is vacuumed or swept, or people walk through it. To reduce exposure to lead dust, it is especially important to maintain all painted surfaces in good condition, and to clean frequently, to reduce the likelihood of chips and dust forming. Using a lead-safe certified renovator to perform renovation, repair and painting jobs is a good way to reduce the likelihood of contaminating your home with lead-based paint dust.

Check Your Home

Peeling lead paint If your home was built before 1978, there may be a chance that there is lead based paint in your home. You will want to fix any lead hazards that your home may have.

EPA's Lead Poisoning Home Checklist

Homebuyers and Renters:

Many homes and condominiums built before 1978 have lead-based paint. Paint that has chipped or is deteriorating, or on surfaces that rub together such as windows and doors, creates lead dust which can pose serious health hazards to occupants and visitors. Homebuyers and renters have important rights to know about whether lead is present before signing contracts or leases.

For more information on federal real estate disclosure laws please click on the link below:

EPA Real Estate Disclosures and Potential Lead Hazards

All information above was provided courtesy of the EPA.

Blood Lead Testing

It is recommended that children at low risk for blood lead poisoning be tested at 12 months and again at 24 months.

Children at high risk for blood lead poisoning should be tested more frequently. Refer to the Blood Lead Testing Guidelines and Screening Tool for more information.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IDHHS) has recommended since 1992 that all children be tested for lead poisoning. Effective July 1, 2008, Iowa Law requires all children entering kindergarten to have at least one blood lead test.

Blood Lead Testing Resources for Health Care Providers: