Lead Safety

Lead-based paint is any applied surface coating with lead levels greater than federally established regulatory standards. Lead-based paint was banned from sale for residential use in 1978, so understanding the age of your home is an important first step in determining if you should be concerned. Some homes built in 1978 could have lead-based paint, because existing supplies of paint containing lead would’ve still been available.

Disturbing lead-based paint can cause lead dust, fumes or paint chips, which can then enter the body. Even a small amount of lead can be harmful to anyone but can be particularly hazardous to pregnant women and children six years of age and under.

Lead-based paint can only be identified by testing the paint. If you suspect lead-based paint in your home, have a certified professional perform testing. A certified lead inspector or lead risk assessor can conduct a lead inspection or risk assessment and tell you whether your home, or a portion of your home, has lead-based paint and, if so, where it’s located.

Determining the age of the property may require some investigation. If you don’t know the age of your home, property information can be accessed from a review of court registration or tax records held by the office of the tax assessor where the property is located. If you don’t know the age of the building, assume it was built before 1978.

Special precautions, referred to as lead-safe work practices, should be followed anytime you disturb a painted surface. These are techniques used to prevent lead exposure during renovation, repair and painting. When used correctly, they make the work area safer for workers and the home safer for residents once the renovation is complete. If you hire a lead-safe certified contractor, know they’ve been trained to keep you and your family safe during and after the renovation. In a home built before 1978, contractors are required to follow lead-paint precautions if:

• 6 square feet of interior paint will be disturbed
• 20 square feet of exterior paint will be disturbed

Note: Square footage requirements may be less in some states.

Yes. Renovation and repair activities in pre-1978 homes that disturb lead-based paint can create dangerous lead dust even if the paint is covered by layers of newer paint. These activities include remodeling, maintenance, painting preparation, carpentry, window replacement, sanding, scraping and demolition. For more information about lead-safe practices for do-it-yourself projects, please visit the EPA website.

Services such as kitchen and bath remodeling, window replacement, or any project involving cutting, sanding or painting may require special handling of lead paint. Home services such as carpet or appliance installation don’t typically involve lead-paint disturbances.

If your home contains, or may contain, lead paint and your repair or installation service will disturb 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint, your Independent Service PROvider will follow lead-safe work practices. This’ll include containing the work area with plastic sheeting and using a HEPA vacuum and wet wipes to clean the worksite of any dust or paint chips. You’ll also be provided with a pamphlet from the EPA explaining lead-safe practices before the job and a checklist of the precautions that were taken after the job is done. If you don’t receive a copy of these documents, please let us know.

Yes. In compliance with the EPA’s RRP rule, Lowe’s only uses installation companies that are trained and certified in lead-safe work practices to handle jobs that may involve the breakdown or disturbance of lead paint. Some states have additional guidelines that installers must follow.

Check your state link above or visit Lead | US EPA.