Lead Dust TestingA guide for Home Visitors

Lead 101- An OverviewWhat is Lead?

A heavy metal, historically added to paint and gas

Where is lead paint?In older homes (in almost all pre-1950 homes)Mostly on wooden surfaces on interior and

exteriorNot so often on plaster

How does lead harm us?Lead is a poisonDamages the brain

Can cause loss of IQCan have behavioral effects

Who is at risk?Everyone, but particularly children under 6

Risk greatest from time they begin to walk to about age 3

Spending time on the floorDiscovering with their hands and mouths

Rapidly developing brains injured by lead

How do children get lead in their bodies?MOST CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO LEAD

AS LEAD DUSTLead dust is heavy and settles on floors and

window sills.Children play in these areas, get dust on

hands and toys, put hands and toys in mouth. Young children explore with their

mouths. This is normal behavior.

How is lead dust made?Lead dust from lead paint is made by:

Normal wear and tearWeathering (exterior paint and porches)Sanding or scraping during repairs or

renovation

What a home dust kit can do for a family:Educate about lead risk in their homeAllow them to take actions to keep children

saferHelp empower to discuss with landlord

A home dust kit does not:Tell you where the lead dust is coming fromGive the family a certified resultAutomatically require the landlord to remove

all lead from the home

General Tenants Rights Related to Lead:Disclosure of Lead

Written disclosure from landlord at time of rental for any unit built before 1978- federal law, landlord can indicate that they do not know if lead present. Enforced by EPA.

Renovations and Repair-Landlord must do written disclosure 30 days

before start of work- Maine lawLandlord or contractor must be certified by EPA

to do paint disturbing work. – Federal Law Warrant of Habitability

Requires apartments to be reasonably safe and habitable. Maine Law – requires specific steps from tenant to enforce.

Things a tenant should know before they agree to a test:

The choice to do a test is their own, it is not required

It can help them take actions and make choices to protect their children from lead

Their landlord might have a negative reaction to dust testing including attempting eviction

They can choose to not provide landlord contact information on the form

Very high test results are very risky to children and may result in further testing and enforcement by ME-CDC

Can testing get a tenant evicted? Maybe, but it’s not legal.Tenants have a legal right to test. Landlord

cannot retaliate for testing.Written lease: Must have reason to evictNo Lease: no reason needed to evict, but

requires notice, and eviction considered retaliatory if in court the landlord can’t point to any other reason for the eviction

Can evict for late/unpaid rentTo fight eviction you have to go to court.

Guidelines for enrolling families:

Occupancy:Renter occupiedChild under 6 present (may live or visit there

more than 6 hours per week) and

Age of building:Focus on pre-1950 or

Occupation:An adult occupant works with Lead

Engaging the family to test:Discuss lead risk and lead testing process

with the family. Inform about pros and cons of testing in

regards to tenancy issues. If wish to proceed, determine whether or not they wish to fill in landlord contact information. They may wish to wait until have results in hand before deciding if and how to approach the landlord.

Have tenant/family sign your agency’s waiver if you use one.

Break to Play Video,

Open Kits,& Practice the

Tests!

Getting ready:Have a pen and tape on handHave the person doing the test wash their

handsIdentify the areas to test

Kitchen floorAnother floor in the area the child playsWindow sill the child attracted to

Supporting the test:Assist in set up

Tape the square template to the floor in the kitchen

Have the tenantPut on the gloveWipe in one direction with s-shaped motionFold dirty sides in on themselvesRepeat wiping in opposite directionPlace wipe in correct tube

Help with other wipes:Repeat family support steps for:

“Other floor”Windowsill

Assist with measurement

The only wrong way to do the test is to not complete it!

The filling out the forms:Finish the kit’s “sampling information” form

Measurement for window sillLocations can be listed in comments areaLandlord contact information, Parent contact infoDateTenant signature

Complete the tracking form provided by HMP

Your follow up steps:Put tubes and the sampling information form

in the boxPlace kit’s mailing label on box

Tape box shutPut kit in mailProvide tracking form to your contact person

at the HMP

Follow up by ME-CDC with familyAll results go to tenant in mailFollow up is different with the level of results

Tenants will receive next step information, specific to their needs, identified by results level.

High results will receive a phone call from ME-CDC to talk about their specific situation.

If tenant provided landlord contact info, a copy will be sent to landlord. If not, a spare copy of results sent to tenant.

ME-CDC suggests tenant speak to landlord and provide results. If results warrant a complaint to the landlord, it’s best for tenant to do in writing.

Resources:{Insert your contact info}Local Pine Tree Legal, {insert local phone#}Tina Bernier, Maine Childhood Lead

Poisoning Prevention Program, 287-5688 www.maine.gov/healthyhomes If landlord doing work that you think is

creating lead dust exposure for family call Department of Environmental Protection, 287-5521

Questions?