Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics

Reducing Lead HazardsWhen Remodeling Your Home

United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency

EPA 747-K-97-001September 1997

Agency is concerned about homeowners and

building professionals who may be exposed

to lead as a result of remodeling or

renovation projects.

The purpose of this pamphlet is to help

reduce lead exposure when conducting home

renovation and remodeling activities. This

pamphlet will be updated as new information

about lead hazard reduction becomes

available.

he U.S. Environmental ProtectionT

Table of Contents

Who should read this pamphlet 1

Lead hazards 2

Will the job create lead hazards? 3

Useful equipment and where to get it 4

Safe work practices 6

Setting up to work inside 7

Setting up to work outside 8

Carpet removal 10

HVAC duct work 11

Minor repairs 12

Plumbing work 13

Paint removal and floor refinishing 14

Preparing surfaces for new paint or wallpaper 15

Removal of large structures 16

Window work 17

Cleaning up lead waste 18

Smart Remodeling Checklist 21

Helpful contacts 22

State Lead Program Contacts 23

1

Who shouldread thispamphlet

This pamphlet can help homeowners and contractorsdo remodeling or renovation work safely. It will alertyou to the hazards involved in handling lead-basedpainted surfaces and will provide useful methods youcan use to reduce or eliminate exposures to lead. If youare uncertain how to properly perform any of thesemethods or where to be properly fitted for a respirator,you may want to call on a trained contractor or call yourState lead program contact (see page 23).

This pamphlet is not intended for use as a guide forlead-based paint abatement procedures. Unlikeremodeling and renovation activities, �abatement� is aprocess used only to address lead-based paint hazards.EPA has promulgated regulations for certification andtraining of professionals engaged in lead abatement. Youshould check with your State lead program contact (referto page 23) for further information on these regulations.

EPA has proposed a rule requiring renovation andremodeling contractors to provide the EPA pamphlet,Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home, tohomeowners and occupants of most pre-1978 homesbefore they begin work. You should call the NationalLead Information Clearinghouse (800-424-LEAD) to getfurther information on the availability of the pamphlet.

This pamphlet is foranyone involved in ahome improvementproject�whether you areactually doing the workyourself or overseeingthe work of renovationand remodeling profes-sionals. Using thedescribed practices willhelp keep lead dustlevels lower during theproject and protecthomeowners andchildren. They also willreduce the amount oflead dust inhaled andshow how to clean uplead dust once theproject is completed.

2

Renovation andremodeling activities can

make a lot of dust thatcontains lead in and

around your home. If youare concerned that yourfamily has been exposedto lead-based paint, call

your doctor or local healthdepartment to arrange for

a blood test.

Lead-based paint is poisonous. The smallest lead dustparticles cannot be seen but they can get into the body.The dust and chips from lead-based paint are dangerouswhen swallowed or inhaled, especially to small childrenand pregnant women. Lead can affect children�sdeveloping nervous systems, causing reduced IQ andlearning disabilities. In adults, high lead levels can causehigh blood pressure, headaches, digestive problems,memory and concentration problems, kidney damage,mood changes, nerve disorders, sleep disturbances, andmuscle or joint pain. A single, very high exposure tolead can cause lead poisoning. Lead can also affect theability of both women and men to have healthy children.

A home built in or after 1978 should not contain lead-based paint since lead-based paint was banned for usein residences in 1978; however, a home built before1978 is likely to have surfaces painted with lead-basedpaint. If you work on these painted surfaces, you canbe exposed to lead. Even if the lead-based paint hasbeen covered with new paint or another covering,cracked or chipped painted surfaces can expose the lead-based paint, possibly creating a lead hazard. Dry-sanding, scraping, brushing, or blasting lead-based paintcan produce dust and paint chips. Burning lead-basedpaint with open flametorches to make it easier tostrip is especially dangerous.The fumes from the hot paintcontain lead and volatilechemicals that are poisonouswhen inhaled.

Leadhazards

Is my family okay?

Be concerned if your home wasbuilt before 1978. It may havelead-based hazards.

3

Will the jobcreate leadhazards?

Can I do the work?

It is extremely importantthat you properly use allthe methods in this pam-phlet in order to protectyou and your familyfrom lead dust, bothduring and after theproject. Unless you canfollow all of the workpractices and safetyprecautions in this pam-phlet, you should hireprofessionals to do yourrenovation or remodelingwork. If you decide tohire remodeling pro-fessionals, make surethey have training andexperience in dealingwith the hazards ofremodeling or renovatinghomes with lead-basedpaint.

n To be sure that you�re not dealing with lead-basedpaint you must have the paint tested by a qualifiedprofessional. Use a trained inspector to test yourhome. A trained inspector will test the surfaces ofyour home by using a portable X-ray fluorescence(XRF) machine which measures the amount of leadin the paint or by sending paint samples to alaboratory equipped to measure lead in paint. Theresults of using chemical testing kits are notrecommended. To find an inspector, contact yourState agency listed on page 23 or call 1-(888)LEADLIST to obtain a list of trained inspectors.

n If you are removing paint or breaking throughpainted surfaces, you should be concerned aboutlead-based paint hazards. If your job involvesremoving paint, sanding, patching, scraping, ortearing down walls, you should be concerned aboutexposure to lead-based paint hazards. If you aredoing other work, such as removing or replacingwindows, baseboards, doors, plumbing fixtures,heating and ventilation duct work, or electricalsystems, you should be concerned about lead-basedpaint hazards, since you may be breaking throughpainted surfaces to do these jobs.

n If you are working on any painted surface, youshould be concerned about lead-based painthazards. You may find lead-based paint on anysurface in your home including walls, interior trim,window sashes and frames, floors, radiators, doors,stairways, railings, porches, and exterior siding.

4

Getting the right equipment and knowing how to useit are essential steps in protecting yourself duringremodeling or renovating.

n A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter-equipped vacuum cleaner is a special type ofvacuum cleaner that can remove very smallparticles from floors, window sills, and carpets andkeeps them inside the vacuum cleaner. Regularhousehold or shop vacuum cleaners are notcompletely effective in removing lead dust. Theymay blow the lead dust out through their exhaustsand spread the dust throughout the home. HEPAvacuum cleaners are available through laboratorysafety and supply catalogs and vendors. They cansometimes be rented at stores that carry remodelingtools.

n You need to use a NIOSH-certified respirator thatis properly fitted and equipped with HEPA filtersto remove lead dust particles out of the air youbreathe. Make sure you buy specific HEPA filters�they are always purple. Dust filters and dust masksare not effective in preventing you from breathingin lead particles. Follow the directions that comewith the respirator to make sure it fits. A respiratorthat does not fit right will not work. Respiratorsare available through laboratory safety and supplycatalogs and vendors, and are sometimes carriedby paint and hardware stores.

n Protective clothes, such as coveralls, shoe covers,hats, goggles, face shields, and gloves should beused to help keep lead dust from being tracked intoareas outside of the work site. These items areavailable through laboratory safety equipmentsupply catalogs and vendors. Inexpensivedisposable suits can sometimes be purchased atpaint stores.

Usefulequipmentand where

to get it

Use a HEPA filter-equippedvacuum cleaner. Standard

household and shop vacuumcleaners are not effective at

removing lead dust.

5

n Heavy-duty polyethylene plastic sheeting forcovering areas exposed to lead dust can be purchasedat hardware stores or lumber yards. The label shouldsay that the plastic is made of polyethylene and is6 mils thick.

n Duct tape to hold the plastic in place, and completelyseal the work areas, can be purchased at hardwarestores and lumber yards.

n Wet-sanding equipment, wet/dry abrasive paper,and wet-sanding sponges for �wet methods� canbe purchased at hardware stores.

n Spray bottles for wetting surfaces to keep dust fromspreading can be purchased at general retail andgarden supply stores.

n Cleaning products to use include: either a generalall-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specially forlead to clean the dust from renovation or remodelingactivities. All-purpose cleaners can be found ingrocery stores. Lead-specific cleaning products canbe purchased from some paint and hardware stores.

n Buckets with wringers, debris containers, dis-posable heavy-duty plastic bags, rags, rakes,shovels, sponges, and string mops for ongoing,daily, and final cleaning can be purchased athardware and retail stores.

6

You must protect yourself and your family frombreathing lead dust created by renovation andremodeling projects.

n Keep all non-workers, especially children, pregnantwomen, and pets outside of the work area whiledoing remodeling or renovation work until cleanupis completed.

n Break large projects into several small projects sothat you can control the amount of lead dust made.Clean up after each phase of the project.

n Wear a properly fitted respirator equipped withHEPA filters.

n Wear protective clothing such as coveralls, shoecovers, goggles, and gloves to keep dust off yourskin. Launder these items separately.

n Change your clothes and shoes before leaving thework area to avoid carrying lead dust throughoutthe house.

n Machine wash your work clothes separately fromother family laundry.

n Shower and wash hair right after finishing work toreduce dust contamination.

n Do not eat, smoke, or drink in the work area to avoidaccidentally swallowing lead dust. Wash your handsand face before eating, smoking, or drinking.

n Dispose of used wash water down a toilet.* Neverpour wash water on soil.

* Check with your State lead program (see page 23) to make sure thereare no regulations in your State that prohibit this.

Safe workpractices

Do wear a respirator so youdon't breathe in lead.

Don't wear dust masks�theywon't protect you from lead.

7

Setting upto workinside

Close off entrywayswith an airlock.

Dust contaminated with lead can cling to your clothesand skin, to walls and floors, and to furniture and floorcoverings. Forced-air heating and air conditioningsystems also can spread dust throughout your home.To keep dust from spreading throughout your home,take the following safeguards:

n Remove furniture, area rugs, curtains, food,clothing, and other household items until cleanupis complete. If you are removing wall-to-wall carpetas part of your remodeling job, see page 10.

n A layer of polyethylene plastic sheeting, at least6 mils thick, should be placed on the floor and onthe furnishings and exposed surfaces that cannotbe removed, such as countertops and shelves. Coveropenings, such as gaps around pipes, with a singlesheet of plastic. All plastic should be secured withduct tape.

n Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioningsystems during renovation and remodeling. Covervents with plastic sheeting and tape the sheeting inplace with duct tape. Windows should be keptclosed unless volatile chemicals will be used.

n An airlock should be constructed at the entry tothe work area. The airlock consists of two sheets ofplastic. One sheet is completely taped along all fouredges. The tape must extend all the way aroundthe top, two sides, and the floor. This plastic sheet isthen cut down the middle. The second sheet is onlytaped along the top and acts as a flap covering theslit in the first sheet of plastic. If two entryways exist,one should be completely sealed in plastic. As analternative, the doorway can be taped closed on allsides.

8

Setting upto workoutside

Exterior work often produces dust, paint chips, largerpieces of material, and liquids that contain lead. It iseasy to track dust containing lead inside your home,where it can pose a hazard. Trash that contains leadalso can contaminate the soil surrounding the house ifyou don't handle it correctly. To avoid contaminatingthe areas surrounding your house, take the followingprecautions:

n If using a ladder, anchor it securely to the ground,not to the plastic which can be punctured.

n If wind speeds exceed 20 mph, or if it begins torain, stop and complete cleanup.

n One lead-safe entryway should be made availableto residents at all times. Do not treat front and rearentrances simultaneously if there is not a thirddoorway.

n Cover the ground and any plants or flowers with6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting to catch dust andtrash. A single sheet of polyethylene plastic sheeting,at least 6 mils thick, should extend at least 5 feet fromthe base of the dwelling and an additional 3 feet foreach additional story.

n All windows, including windows in adjacentdwellings, within 20 feet of the work area shouldbe kept closed.

9

n Playground equipment, sandboxes, and toys shouldbe moved at least 20 feet away from the work area.If items cannot be moved from the area, then theyshould be sealed with plastic sheeting.

n Remove personal belongings from the area beforestarting work.

Secure plastic to the side of the dwelling with duct tape.There should be no gaps between the dwelling and the

plastic. Plastic sheeting should extend at least 8 feetfrom the foundation of a two-story house.

Wood studs blockliquid from escaping.

Bricks or rocks should beused to hold the edgesof the plastic sheeting

in place.

10

CarpetremovalIf you plan to remove or replace your carpet as part of a

remodeling job, take the following steps to avoidspreading lead dust:

n Mist the entire surface of the carpet with water tokeep dust down.

n Roll the carpet inward to avoid spreading dust toother areas.

n Wrap carpet and pad in 6 mil polyethylene plasticsheeting. Tape seams closed with duct tape.

n Vacuum floor with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuumcleaner after the carpet is wrapped but before youremove it.

n HEPA vacuum the floor again after you remove thecarpet.

Mist carpet surfaces with waterto reduce spread of dust.

11

HVACduct work Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system ducts

can accumulate dust for many years. If you suspect thatthe dust contains lead, follow these steps when replacingor cleaning the ducts:

n Cover the floor under the ducts with 6 milpolyethylene plastic sheeting to catch dry fallingdust.

n Use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner toremove dust from the inside of the ducts beforebeginning work.

n Rinse the duct pieces in an area well away from thehouse before reinstalling them. If you are disposingof old duct pieces, first wrap them in plastic and sealwith duct tape.

Heating and air conditioning ducts canaccumulate dust that contains lead.

12

MinorrepairsIf you plan to conduct minor repairs on painted surfaces,

such as repairing or replacing a door lock, repairing adoor, drilling holes to install shelves, or sawing intopainted wood or plaster, then wet methods and simplecleaning can reduce hazards of lead dust:

n Cover the floor under the work area with 6 milpolyethylene plastic sheeting to catch any sludge ordust.

n Spray the work area surface with water to reducethe amount of dust generated during the minorrepair.

n To eliminate friction points on a door, first mist thedoor, then remove the door to plane it. Keep doorsurfaces being planed wet during repair. Replacethe door when the work is complete.

n Vacuum the floor under the work area and allsurfaces within 5 feet of the work area with a HEPAfilter-equipped vacuum cleaner.

13

Plumbingwork

Remove faucet aerators andclean out any debris.

If you are working on older pipes that contain leadsolder, you should be concerned about lead hazardsin plumbing. Disturbing lead-soldered pipes candislodge pieces of lead solder that can get into yourdrinking water or come to rest in aerators or thebottom of pipes or joints. Follow these precautionsto reduce lead hazards in plumbing:

During work:

n Follow the practices outlined in the Minor repairssection (page 12) when you break through wallsor floors to reach pipes.

n Use adequate ventilation to avoid inhalingdangerous fumes from soldering.

n Promptly dispose of solder pieces in heavy-dutyplastic bags when you finish plumbing work.

n Use lead-free solder when working on drinkingwater plumbing.

After work is completed:

n Remove faucet aerators and clean out any debrisbefore re-installing them. Look carefully for gritor pieces of solder and remove them.

n Flush the supply pipes you have been workingon by letting them run for several minutes withthe aerators removed. The water flowing throughthe pipes removes small pieces of loose solder.

Aerator

14

Paintremoval

and floorrefinishing

Using heat guns

Do not use a heat gunoperating above 1,100°F or

open flame torches toloosen lead-based paint.

Heating and burning lead-based paint makes

dangerous fumes andvapors.

Paint removal usually creates extensive amounts of leadand lead dust when using processes such as heat,chemicals, and sharp tools. It can be performed safelyand effectively by following the precautions below.

n The painted surface should be misted with waterfirst. The paint may be removed by wet scraping orwet sanding with a HEPA vacuum attachment, orusing a wet-sanding sponge. Wipe the area you aresanding often and rinse the sponge in a bucket ofwater.

n Chemical strippers may be used to remove paint,but those containing methylene chloride are notrecommended. Exercise caution when using paintstrippers since they contain toxic chemicals.

n Heat guns may be used to remove paint, but do notuse those that operate above 1,100° F.

n For mechanical removal methods (such as HEPAvacuum blasting, machine sanding or grinding), usetools equipped with HEPA exhaust capability.

After removing the paint, wash the surface with arecommended cleaning product (see page 5), rinse, andlet dry before re-treating.

15

Preparingsurfacesfor newpaint orwallpaper

Blasting andpower washing

Do not blast or powerwash lead-based paintedsurfaces. Blasting andpower washing createlarge amounts of dust andwaste water that containlead and can contaminatelarge areas.

Preparing walls and other surfaces for painting, staining,or wallpapering can create lead exposure risks. Withgood work practices, you can reduce the risk of exposureto lead.

n Cover the floor and furniture with 6 mil poly-ethylene plastic sheeting.

n Avoid sanding lead-based painted surfaces when-ever possible. If you must sand, use a sander with avacuum attachment connected to a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner, or use a wet-sandingsponge.

n Wipe the area you are sanding often and rinse thesponge in a bucket of water. Strain out any chips ofpaint and dispose of them in heavy-duty plastic bags.Dispose of the used wash water down the toilet.*Wash the walls with a recommended cleaningproduct (refer to page 5), rinse, and let dry beforepainting or wallpapering. Be careful while wetsanding because wet plastic can be very slippery.

n Exercise caution when using paint strippers sincethey contain toxic chemicals. Chemical stripperscontaining methylene chloride are notrecommended.

n If you intend to feather or scrape the lead-basedpainted surface, spray the work area surface withwater to reduce the amount of dust. For scraping,use a wet-scraper with a HEPA filter-equippedexhaust.

* Check with your State lead program (see page 23) to make surethere are no regulations in your State that prohibit this.

16

Removalof large

structures

Wear protective clothing and arespirator when removing

walls that may contain lead.

When you demolish and remove large structurespainted with lead-based paint, such as walls, doorframes, floor coverings, and ceilings, you are likely to beleft with large amounts of dust and trash that containlead.

To reduce exposure to large amounts of lead dust:

n Seal off the work area by covering entryways with6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting.

n Cover nearby windows with 6 mil polyethyleneplastic sheeting.

n Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioningsystems. Then cover heating and air conditioningvents with a layer of 6 mil polyethylene plasticsheeting.

n Remove rugs and furniture from the work area, ifpossible.

n Cover the floors and the furniture in the work areaand adjoining areas with 6 mil polyethylene plasticsheeting.

n Wet the surface and debris as you demolish it tokeep dust levels down.

n Remove and dispose of trash properly. Allowingdebris to accumulate in the work area increases therisk of spreading dust through the house.

17

Windowwork

Remove window unit from theoutside, if possible.

Window sills and window frames on homes built before1978 can have high amounts of lead-based paint. Sincethese items are seldom replaced, paint tends to build upon them. Follow these basic safety precautions forworking on these types of windows:

n For window pane/glass replacement, cover the floorinside under the window with 6 mil polyethyleneplastic sheeting to catch any dust fall. Spray the workarea surface with water to reduce the amount of dustgenerated when replacing the window pane/glass.Score the window pane/glass with a razor knife tofacilitate its removal. Collect all dust and paint chipsand dispose in a sealed plastic bag.

n For window repair, cover the floor inside under thewindow with plastic sheeting to catch any dust fall.Spray the work area surface with water to reducethe amount of dust generated when repairing thewindow. Wet scrape deteriorated paint. Collect alldust and paint chips and dispose in a sealed plasticbag.

n For window replacement, cover the entire insidewindow opening with plastic sheeting. Coverthe floor inside under the window and theground outside the window with 6 mil poly-ethylene plastic sheeting to catch any dust fall.Spray the window sill and frame with water toreduce the dust. Remove the window unit fromthe outside, if possible. Collect all dust and paintchips and dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag.

Frame

Sill

18

Cleaningup lead

waste

Vacuum dust from clothing.

Wash hands thoroughlyto remove lead dust.

Cleaning includes not only the removal of visible debrisbut also the removal of leaded dust particles which aretoo small to be seen by the naked eye.

Pay special attention to cleanup activities to preventcontaminating other areas or exposing people to lead.Everyone working on your job should take theprecautions given here to help prevent leadcontamination.

Personal cleanup:

n Vacuum dust from clothing using a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.

n Wash your hands and face before you leave the worksite.

n Change your clothes and shoes before leaving thework site to prevent contaminating areas outsidethe work site. After removing your clothes, machinewash them separately from other family laundry.

n Do not take off your respirator until after you haveremoved your outer protective clothing.

n Shower and wash your hair right after finishingwork to prevent spreading lead dust.

19

Daily site cleanup:

n Dispose of construction trash in a heavy-dutyplastic bag.* Carefully remove the dust and trashfrom the plastic sheeting to avoid contaminatingother areas. If possible, pass the trash out a windowto avoid carrying it through the house.

n Strain out paint chips from liquid waste and disposeof them in a heavy-duty plastic bag. Dispose of theremaining water down a toilet.*

n Mop the floors with a cleaning product recom-mended on page 5 using a disposable mop and waterin areas where there is little dust, or vacuum with aHEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. Changewash water frequently. Rinse with clean water.Dispose of used water down a toilet.*

n Vacuum the plastic sheeting covering wall-to-wallcarpeting with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuumcleaner.

n Mist outside areas using a garden hose beforesweeping these areas with a broom. Avoid drysweeping since it spreads lead dust. Shovel, rake,or vacuum (HEPA filter-equipped) trash into heavy-duty plastic bags* placed in cardboard boxes forsupport.

n Clean your vacuums and tools with a recommendedcleaning product (refer to page 5) and water.

n Seal off the entryways with 6 mil polyethyleneplastic if you have to leave a work site unattended.

* Check with your State lead program (see page 23) to make surethere are no regulations in your State that prohibit this.

20

Am I done?

Consider hiring aprofessional to test areasfor lead dust contamin-

ation after your finalcleanup. Call your local

health department or theNational Lead

Information CenterClearinghouse at

(800) 424-LEAD for areferral to a lead-testing

professional.

Final cleanup:

n Start your cleanup work from the dirtiest part ofthe work area and work toward the clean area ofthe house.

n Work from the top of the room toward the bottom,cleaning ceilings first, then walls, counters, andfloors.

n Carefully remove any plastic sheeting used toprotect surfaces by rolling or folding inward.

n Wash floors and walls with a recommendedcleaning product (refer to page 5). Dispose of usedwash water down a toilet.

n Vacuum walls, floors, and wall-to-wall carpetingwith a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.

n Vacuum chair rails, window sills, casings, shelves,countertops, and baseboards again, once they aredry.

21

Smart Remodeling Checklist

Before the work beginsq Have your paint tested for lead by a qualified professional.

q Cover interior and exterior exposed areas with plastic sheeting.

q Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems.

During workq Keep all non-workers outside of the work area.

q Wear protective clothing and shoes while doing the work.

q Use a properly fitted respirator equipped with HEPA filters.

q Exercise caution when using paint strippers since they contain toxic chemicals.

q Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the work area.

q Do not dry-sand, blast, or power-wash to remove lead-based paint.

q Do not use high-temperature heat guns or open flames on lead-based paint.

After work is completedq Remove plastic sheeting by rolling or folding inward.

q Wrap construction debris with plastic.

q Vacuum exposed areas with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.

q Wash exposed areas with a general all-purpose cleaner or lead-specific cleaningproduct.

q Change clothes and shoes before leaving the work area. Machine wash separately.

q Shower and wash your hair right after finishing work.

q Test areas for lead dust contamination after final cleanup.

22

HelpfulcontactsYou may need additional information on how to protect

yourself while remodeling or renovating. For moreinformation:

n Call your State lead-poisoning prevention contactand your State Department of EnvironmentalProtection to find out what assistance is available.Phone numbers of State lead poisoning preventioncontacts are listed on the next page.

n Call your local building code officials to find outwhat regulations apply to the renovation andremodeling work that you are planning.

n Call your local health department to find out whatother information is available about lead hazards andwhat assistance is available to you.

n Call the National Lead Information Center at(800) 424-LEAD to get a list of laboratories that cananalyze paint and dust samples for lead, and toobtain other important lead hazard information,such as the pamphlets Lead Poisoning and YourChildren and Protect Your Family From Lead in YourHome. In the future, renovation and remodelingcontractors may be required to provide a copy ofthis pamphlet to homeowners and occupants beforethey begin work.

n Call the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Office of Lead Hazard Control at (888) LEADLISTto obtain a list of trained inspectors.

n Call the Occupational Safety and Health Adminis-tration (OSHA), Department of Job Safety andHealth at (202) 219-8151 to get information onrespirators and protective clothing.

n Call the National Conference of State Legislaturesat (303) 830-2200 to get information about the currentstate regulations for disposing of lead waste in yourarea.

23

State Lead Program Contacts

Alabama (205) 242-5661 Montana (406) 444-3671Alaska (907) 465-5152 Nebraska (402) 471-2451Arkansas (501) 661-2534 Nevada (702) 687-6615Arizona (602) 542-7307 New Hampshire (603) 271-4507California (510) 450-2424 New Jersey (609) 633-2043Colorado (303) 692-3012 New Mexico (505) 841-8024Connecticut (203) 566-5808 New York (800) 458-1158Washington, D.C. (202) 727-9850 North Carolina (919) 715-3293Delaware (302) 739-4735 North Dakota (701) 328-5188Florida (904) 488-3385 Ohio (614) 466-1450Georgia (404) 657-6514 Oklahoma (405) 271-5220Hawaii (808) 832-5860 Oregon (503) 248-5240Idaho (208) 332-5544 Pennsylvania (717) 782-2884Illinois (800) 545-2200 Rhode Island (401) 277-3424Indiana (317) 382-6662 South Carolina (803) 935-7945Iowa (800) 972-2026 South Dakota (605) 773-3153Kansas (913) 296-0189 Tennessee (615) 741-5683Kentucky (502) 564-2154 Texas (512) 834-6600Louisiana (504) 765-0219 Utah (801) 536-4000Massachusetts (800) 532-9571 Vermont (802) 863-7231Maryland (410) 631-3859 Virginia (800) 523-4019Maine (207) 287-4311 Washington (206) 753-2556Michigan (517) 335-8885 West Virginia (304) 558-2981Minnesota (612) 627-5498 Wisconsin (608) 266-5885Mississippi (601) 960-7463 Wyoming (307) 777-7391Missouri (314) 526-4911

Some cities and states have their own rules for lead-based paint activities. Check with yourState agency (listed below) to see if state or local laws apply to you. Most state agencies canalso provide information on finding a lead abatement firm in your area, and on possiblesources of financial aid for reducing lead hazards.