If tests conducted by the risk assessor or
inspector I hire show that the home I plan to
buy contains lead-based paint, is the seller
required to remove it?
No The seller does not have to remove any
lead-based paint hazards found during testing.
With the test results, however, you can ask the
seller to hire a certified professional to fix any
hazardous lead-based paint conditions, or lower
the sale price so you can hire a certified
professional To do this, the sales contract must
include a clause that permits further negotiations
based on the lead test results Make sure all lead-
related work is done by a certified lead
professional.
How can I make sure the lead professional I
hire is certified?
Federal law requires all lead professionals to net
only be trained, but certified as well. Contact you'
state or tribal lead poisoning prevention program
for more information. Call 1-800-424-LEAD for
a list of contacts in your area.
Where can I get more information about lead-
based paint and lead hazards?
Call the National Lead Information Center at
1-800-424-LEAD for more information on lead or
to speak to a lead specialist Or visit our Web site
at www.epa.gov/lead.
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Buying A Home?
Here's What
You Need To
Know About
Lead-Based
Paint!
Did you know?
• The older a home is the more likely it is to
contain lead-based paint
• Lead exposure is especially harmful to children
who are 6 years old or younger.
• The dust in a home may be contaminated with
harmful lead particles that you cannot see.
Renovation and remodeling activities can make
a lot of dust that contains lead.
• You have a right to find out if a home you plan
to buy contains lead-based paint or lead-based
paint hazards.
Read on for information to help you make the
right decision for you and your family.
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Why should I be concerned about lead-based
paint when buying a home?
Today, 83% of private housing and 86% of public
housing built before 1980 contains some lead-
based paint. That's because lead-based paint was
widely used in homes during the early part of this
century. While the use of lead-based paint began
to drop in the 1950's, it was not stopped altogether
until it was banned for home use in 1978.
How can lead exposure affect me and my
family?
Even exposure to low levels of lead can
permanently affect children. In low levels lead
exposure can cause—
• Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder,
and decreased intelligence.
• Speech, language, and behavior problems.
• Hearing damage.
• Decreased muscle and bone growth.
While low level exposure is most common,
exposure to high levels of lead can have
devastating effects on children, including seizures,
unconsciousness, and in some cases, death.
Lead exposure can also be dangerous for adults.
In adults, high lead levels can cause—
• Harm to a fetus, including brain damage or
death.
• Fertility problems (in men and women).
• High blood pressure.
• Digestive and nerve disorders.
To get more information about lead exposure,
especially effects on children, call
1-800-424-LEAD.
Is all lead-based paint considered hazardous?
Lead-based paint that is in good condition is
usually not harmful. Lead-based paint is
considered a hazard if it is peeling, chipping,
chalking, or cracking. It can also be hazardous if
it is on surfaces that get a lot of wear and tear or
that children chew such as—
• Windows and window sills.
• Doors and door frames.
• Stairs, railings, and banisters.
• Porches and fences.
Are there other sources of lead hazards I
should be aware of?
In addition to lead-based paint, other common
sources of lead hazards include—
• Lead-contaminated dust. Lead-painted
surfaces that are deteriorated, bumped and/or
rubbed together can contaminate household
dust. This dust can gather on surfaces and
objects that people touch. This is especially
important if you have young children who crawl
and put things in their mouths!
• Lead-contaminated soil. Exterior lead-based
paint on homes can flake or peel and get into
soil. Soil near roadways may also be
contaminated from past use of leaded gasoline
in cars. Lead-contaminated soil can also be
tracked into the house—creating more lead-
contaminated dust!
Another potential source of lead is older
plumbing fixtures—such as faucets, lead pipes,
and pipes connected with lead solder—which can
contaminate drinking water. Restrictions on the
use of lead in plumbing fixtures were expanded in
1986, and again in 1988, but some lead may still
be found in pipes today. Call the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 for information
on lead in drinking water.
Why is buying a home a good time to think
about lead?
A vacant house presents a great opportunity to
address identified lead hazards safely. That's
because there are no concerns about
contaminating your family or belongings during the
work.
The seller of a home built before 1978 is required
to—
• Tell you about and give you any records on any
known lead-based paint hazards in the home.
• Give you a copy of the EPA pamphlet titled
Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.
• Offer you—the buyer—10 days, or another
mutually agreeable period, to have a certified
lead professional conduct a lead risk
assessment or inspection before you buy the
home.
What are the differences between a lead risk
assessment and inspection?
• A risk assessment is conducted by a certified
risk assessor, who will test dust, deteriorated
paint, and soil to identify lead hazards. A risk
assessor will also suggest ways to control such
hazards. A risk assessment is usually the most
appropriate tool for assessing lead hazards in a
home.
• A lead inspection is conducted by a certified
inspector or risk assessor, and tests only
painted surfaces to tell you the location of lead-
based paint. It is important to know where lead-
based paint is in the home so that if you or your
contractor disturbs it, additional lead hazards
are not created. This is particularly important if
you plan to renovate, remodel, or disturb paint
in the home you are thinking about buying.
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