Lowdown on lead

Lead was a common ingredient in both interior and exterior paints in homes built before 1960. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a ban against lead-based paint in 1978 so homes built between 1960 and 1978 also may contain lead paint. Take the time to visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/lead.html, “Sources of Indoor Air Pollution – Lead (Pb).” Also check out http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htm and read the introduction to “Lead Poisoning.” On this page and in the body of the text click on “Download an order form” to order a lead dust test kit from The National Safety Council for $29.95. Also go to http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/leadtest/intro.html and click on Lead Test Kits at the top of the screen for a list of companies that sell home-testing kits.

You can take simple steps to prevent or reduce lead exposure yourself, but I would contact a lead inspector and/or hire a person with special training to remove lead-based paint. Look for this specialist in the Yellow Pages under “Lead Detection & Removal.”