lead paint

LEAD PAINT DISCLOSURE
(a) Lead Warning Statement. Housing built before 1978 may contain lead based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not taken care of properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre 1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead based paint and lead based paint hazards in the dwelling.

(b) Landlord's Disclosure:
The apartment may have been painted many times before 1978, and therefore probably contains lead based paint.

FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.
FACT: Even children that seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: People can get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust or by eating soil or paint chips with lead in them.
FACT: People have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.

Are You Planning To Rent An Apartment
Built Before 1978?
Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint.) Lead from paint, chips and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly. By 1996, federal law will require that individuals receive certain informaion before buying, renting or renovating pre-1978 housing.

Where Lead-Based Paint Is Found
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned lead-based paint from housing.

Lead can be found:
In homes in the city, country or suburbs.
In apartments, single-family homes and in both private and public housing.
Inside and outside of the house.
In soil around the home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)

Check Your Family For Lead
Get your children tested if you think your home has a high level of lead.

A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are important for: Children who are 6 months to 1 year old (6 months if you live in an older building or home that might have lead paint.)
Family members that you think might have high levels of lead.

If your child is older than 1 year, talk to your doctor about weather your child needs testing. Your doctor or health center can do blood tests. They are inexpensive and sometimes free. Your doctor will explain what the test results mean. Treatment can range in your diet to medication or a hospital stay.

Get your children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy.
Wash childrens hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods.
Get your home checked for lead hazards.
Regularly clean floors, window sills and other surfaces.
Wipe soil off shoes before entering the house.
Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint.
Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovating.
(call 1-800-424-LEAD for guildlines).
Don't use belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead.
Don't try to remove lead-based paint yourself.

Lead's Effects
If not detected early, children with lead in their bodies can suffer from:

Damage to the brain and nerve system.
Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity).
Slowed growth.
Hearing problems.
Headaches.

Difficulties during pregnancy.
Other reproductive problems (in both men and women).
High blood pressure.
Digestive problems.
Nerve disorders.
Memory and concentration problems.
Muscle and joint pain.

Other Sources Of Lead
While paint, dust and soil are the most common lead hazards, other lead sources also exits.

Drinking Water
Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. YOu cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:
Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
Run water for 15-30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.

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

Region 3 (Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia)
841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, Pa. 19107. Phone: 215-597-9800

Eastern Regional Center 6 World Trade Center Vesey Street, Room 350 New York, N.Y. 10048. Phone: 212-466-1612

Call 1-800-LEAD-FYI to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning. For other information on lead hazards call the center's clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD. For the hearing impaired call TDD 1-800-526-5456. (fax: 202-659-1192, Internet: EHC@CAIS.COM).

To request information on lead in consumer products or to report an unsafe consumer product or a product-related injury call 1-800-638-2772. (Internet: info@cpsc.gov). For the hearing impaired call 1-800-638-8270.

(c) CERTIFICATION: The following parties have reviewed the information above and certify that the tenant has received a copy of this document.