Lead Poisoning Prevention at Home

Lead can be found inside and outside the home, including in the water that travels through lead pipes or in the soil around a house. However, the most common source of exposure is from lead-based paint, which was used in many homes built before 1978. Lead exposure is most often caused by accidentally swallowing or breathing in the lead dust created by old paint that has cracked and chipped. Lead exposure is particularly dangerous during early childhood development, especially for children who crawl.

Steps that families can take to prevent lead exposure include the following:

• Consider removing shoes off when entering the house to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil in from outside.
• Wash children’s hands and toys often and clean the home regularly. Wet-mop floors and windowsills to remove possible contamination from soil and dust.
• Talk to your doctor or health care provider about testing young children for lead levels.
• If your home was built before 1978, get it tested for lead-based paint and learn how to prevent harmful exposures.
• There are many programs available to assist with Lead Paint Prevention. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)’s Lead Testing in School and Childcare Program (LTSCC) is a very successful statewide program. Additionally, the Texas Department of State Health Services participates in a national program, The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) which works within Travis County to assist with issues regarding lead exposure.
• Continued education, outreach efforts, and organizational support, facilitated through events like National Lead Poisoning Prevention week will allow local communities to protect themselves and their communities against the dangers of lead poisoning.

Find more information, programs, and resources through the links below.

Lead-Based Paint Hazards & Poisoning Prevention Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  Phone: (800) 232-4636
  Information about Lead Poisoning Prevention
• Lead-based paint hazards & poisoning prevention Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
  Phone: (800) 588-1248
  General Lead Exposure Information
  Homeowner FAQs
  Home Assessment Information
  Certified Lead Professionals
  Environmental Lead Program
  Links to information and resources for state and national agencies and programs
  Download the following and other educational materials about Lead Poisoning Prevention:
  • Lead-Safe Cleaning Tips (Publication #1-315; available in English and Español)
  • Lead Around the Home (Publication #1-307)
  • How Lead Affects Your Child’s Health (publication #1-311; available in English and Español)
• Sesame Street Lead Away
  Lead Away Toolkit from Sesame Street Workshop
• Lead-Austin Water
  Phone: (512) 972-0153
  Information about Austin Water and lead poisoning hazards/prevention
• TCEQ Voluntary Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water
  Contact: 737-276-1987
  Email: [email protected]
  Information about Free Voluntary Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water

Lead-Based Paint Abatement & Remediation Resources

• Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  Phone: (800) 424-LEAD (5323)
  Lead Disclosure Rule: Learn about federal guidelines for sellers to disclose information about lead-based paint hazards
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  Phone: (800) 424-LEAD [5323] or EPA Region 6: (214) 665-6711
  Learn about Lead
  Lead Residential Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Program
  Protect Your Family from Exposures to Lead
  Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Consumers
  Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Do-It-Yourselfers
  Need to paint, repair, or restore a home or building that has lead-based paint? See Questions and Answers for Homeowners and Renters about Understanding Lead Inspections, Risk Assessments, and Abatements
• City of Austin
  Neighborhood Housing & Community Development (NHCD)
  Phone: (512) 478-7176
  Minor Home Repair Program for low-income residents