Asbestos, Lead and Mold FAQs

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing estimated that 38 million permanently occupied housing units (40% of all housing units) in the United States contain some lead-based paint that was applied before the residential use of lead-based paint was banned in 1978. “Housing units” include single-family homes, manufactured housing, and multi-unit dwellings like apartments. Vacant housing, group quarters (e.g., prisons, hospitals, and dormitories), hotels, motels, and other short-term housing, military bases, and housing where children are not permitted to live (e.g., housing designated exclusively for the elderly and those with zero-bedroom units) are not included in this number. More information on these statistics is available from HUD.

Lead is known to cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death.  Children six years old and under are most at risk from exposure lead-based paint because they crawl on the floor and they put their hands and other items which can have lead-based paint dust on them into their mouths.  Because their bodies are still growing, children tend to absorb more lead than adults.

Children exposed to lead can suffer from:

• Lowered IQ
• Damage to the brain and nervous system
• Learning and behavioral difficulties
• Slowed growth
• Hearing problems
• Headaches

Adults can suffer from:

• Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
• High blood pressure and hypertension
• Nerve disorders
• Memory and concentration problems
• Muscle and joint pain

A blood test is the only way to find out whether you or a family member already has lead poisoning.  Call your doctor or local health department to arrange for a blood test.  You can protect your family every day by:

• Regularly cleaning floors, window sills, and other surfaces.
• Washing children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
• Making sure children eat a healthy, nutritious diet consistent with the USDA’s dietary guidelines.
• Wiping off shoes before entering the house.
• Using an EPA-certified firm for renovations, or if you are doing the renovation yourself, using lead-safe work practices

Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have some lead-based paint.  Lead from paint chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.  Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting or buying pre-1978 housing.  Sellers and landlords must:

• Disclose information on known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the housing being sold or rented;
• Provide buyers and renters with any available records or reports pertaining to lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the housing.