December 12th, 2017
If the house you are fixing up was built before 1978, it may contain lead paint. Common fix-up jobs (such as painting a room or repairing a door that sticks) can create dust or paint chips that contain lead. Lead is a poison that is dangerous to you and your family. When people swallow or breathe in lead dust, they can become lead poisoned. It takes only a very small amount of lead to poison someone. Lead is especially dangerous for children. It can cause serious learning and behavior problems. It is very dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Lead can also make adults sick. This booklet tells you how you can protect yourself and your family from lead poisoning and work lead-safe while you fix up your house.