Lead Hazards and Lead Poisoning

Dust from lead-based paint is the major source of lead poisoning among children. In 1978, lead was banned from house paint by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. About 70% of Vermont homes were built before 1978 and likely contain lead-based paint. Over time, lead-based paint on surfaces crumbles into invisible dust, especially from opening and closing doors and windows. Even if the home has been repainted since 1978, the opening and closing of doors and windows can release lead dust from the original lead-based paint.

Young children are commonly exposed to lead by swallowing it. Lead dust clings to hands, toys and other objects that children put in their mouth. Children may eat, chew or suck on lead-painted objects such as windowsills, toys or furniture.

Children, pregnant women and adults can be exposed to lead during renovation projects or whenever lead-based paint is improperly sanded, scraped or burned. There are two main ways these activities cause exposure to lead:

1. Breathing in lead dust
2. Getting lead dust on your hands and then swallowing it while eating, drinking or smoking

Unsafe work practices that disturb lead-based paint will create lead hazards (see Section 2.2.28). Under Vermont law, if lead hazards are created in any building or structure, you will be responsible for the cleanup that will require you to hire a Vermont-licensed lead abatement contractor.

Do you need financial or technical help? The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board’s Lead-Based Paint Program offers help to homeowners and landlords (based on income) to lower the risk of lead poisoning from lead-based paint hazards. Call 802-828-5064 or 800-290-0527 or email LeadUser@vhcb.org. If you live in Burlington or Winooski, the Burlington Lead Program has similar help available. Call 802-865-LEAD (5323).

Protect yourself and your family during home renovation projects
Find out how the Vermont Lead Law affects you
Learn what to do if your home has lead-based paint
Test your home for lead dust

Swallowing lead dust that is on hands, toys or other objects is the most common way that children are exposed to lead. Keeping your home free of lead dust can help prevent lead poisoning.

Practice lead-safe cleaning

Lead gets into drinking water as it moves through lead or galvanized iron pipes and fittings, lead solder, and brass or chrome fixtures.

You cannot see, smell or taste lead. Testing is the only way to know if lead is in your drinking water.

Learn more about lead in drinking water and how to test for it
Learn more about testing for lead in school drinking and child care water

Soil alongside older homes may be contaminated with lead from lead-based paint flaking off the house. Soil near roadways or driveways also may be contaminated with lead from car exhaust when leaded gasoline was used. Small amounts of lead may occur naturally in soil. And some lead contamination comes from industrial sources like lead battery manufacturing plants or brass foundries.

Lead-contaminated soil can be brought into your home on shoes. It is also very easy for a child to swallow contaminated soil while playing outside. To prevent lead poisoning, leave your shoes at the door and don't let children play in bare soil.

Test your soil for lead

Adults who work jobs that involve lead — such as painting, plumbing, metal production, building renovation, demolition, bridge work or manufacturing — are at risk of lead poisoning. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Vermont OSHA have more information on occupational exposure to lead. Workers can also bring lead home on shoes and work clothes, which places family members at risk of coming in contact with lead.

You may need the Vermont Lead-Safe RRPM license if you perform work that disturbs paint and stain on pre-1978 housing and child occupied facilities.

Prevent take-home lead exposure
Learn about lead and your job
Find out about your risk for lead exposure while on the job and how to lower it

Many common hobbies and crafts use materials containing lead—such as car parts, stained glass, jewelry, pottery glazes, artists paints, fishing sinkers, bullets and old maple sugaring equipment.

Protect your family from materials containing lead

Lead has been banned from house paint and lead content has been limited in children's products, but it still can be found in many common consumer and household products and in imported goods. Some examples include:

• Children's toys and toy jewelry
• Keys and keychains
• Inks and dyes used in fabrics and packaging
• Enamel bathtubs and sinks
• Imported vinyl miniblinds
• Glazed pottery, especially from China and Mexico
• Folk remedies and medicine (for example, Gaw Mo Dah)
• Imported cosmetics (for example, Kohl, Surma, Thanakha and Kajal)
• Candy from Mexico
• Imported food cans

Find more information about lead in consumer products
Find more information about lead in foods, cosmetics and medicines
Search for recalled products containing lead

Lead has been commonly used in many older household items and consumer goods — such as paint, furniture, jewelry, glassware and dishes, leaded crystal, brass, pewter, ceramics, tools, toys and other items.

Even in newer homes, Vermonters can be exposed to lead when they install salvaged building materials — such as doors, windows, sinks, bathtubs and plumbing fixtures. If you are unsure about the presence of lead, assume all vintage, antique and salvaged items contain lead. To live safely with older items, you should be aware of the health effects of lead and how to prevent lead exposure.

Live safely with vintage, antique and salvaged building materials