RENOVATE LEAD-SAFE

Protect yourself and your family from lead exposure by being aware of potential
hazards during home renovation projects.

in the U.S. have
lead-based paint
somewhere in the
building*

If your home was built before 1978, a
home renovation project can easily create
dangerous lead dust, one of the most
common ways children are exposed to
lead. Even low levels of lead in children's
blood have been shown to affect a child's
intellect, concentration, and academic
achievement.

EPA encourages anyone pursuing
renovations in a pre-1978 home to use a
lead-safe certified contractor. However, if
you plan to do-it-yourself (DIY), there are
simple, important steps you should take
to keep yourself and others safe during
and after the renovation.

*U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. (2021, October).
American Healthy Homes Survey II Lead Findings.

Considering a home renovation project?

This chart can help you stay lead-safe while you renovate:

Do you
live in a
pre-1978
home?

Yes







I'm Not
Sure

— 7





No



Either assume lead-based paint is
present or hire a
certified lead inspector to
check for lead-based paint.

Home renovation projects are
unlikely to create hazardous
lead dust.

You should consider hiring a lead-safe
certified contractor to do the work.

Find one at:
www.epa.gov/lead/findacontractor

I'm going to do the work myself and
keep my family safe by following the
steps to lead-safe work below.

Steps to Lead-Safe Work

Set Up Safely

Protect Yourself

Minimize Dust

Keep dust in

Avoid inhaling or

Use the right

and family

ingesting lead

equipment to

members

dust, and wear

minimize dust

and other ^

protective

while you

nonworkers J^

clothing like

work. Plastic

out. / "

disposable

sheeting,

I——

coveralls, shoe

masking tape,

Carefully tape

covers and an

heavy-duty

off your work

N-100 certified

plastic bags, and

area and use

respirator mask

a misting bottle

plastic

to avoid will help you

sheeting to

carrying lead iSY collect and

cover objects

dust out of

dispose of all

you can't

the work

dust.

remove.

area.



Leave the Work
Area Clean

Clean up your
work area as
you go by
vacuuming
with a HE PA
vacuum
cleaner
frequently and
cleaningyour
tools daily.

Leave your work
area clean at the
end of each day.

Control
Your Waste

Bag and seal
waste from
DIY renovation
projects.

Most waste
generated during
these activities
should be taken
to a licensed
solid
waste
landfill.

Clean One More
Time

After completing
your DIY project
and before letting
people back in
the work area,
clean all surfaces

with damp
disposable cloths.

Consider having
the area tested
for lead dust
hazards by a
certified firm.

A rnA	This document presents an overview of lead-safe work practices. For detailed information about

\7CrM lead-safe work practices, please visit epa.gov/lead/rrp-diyers.

-------