Take Action in Your Home
Information for homeowners, tenants and landlords
Keep Homes Clean & Dust Free
Lead dust can accumulate on surfaces inside a home, which can expose children to unsafe levels of lead. Lead-safe Cleaning are strategies to decrease or eliminate lead dust when a hazard has been identified, in a manner safe to humans and animals. Lead is a heavy metal that is toxic to humans and is most commonly ingested by children in the form of dust or paint chips. When a lead hazard is identified, it is important to clean in a way that will limit the spread of lead dust in the air and on surfaces.
Getting started with lead-safe cleaning:
- Identify the locations to be cleaned and gather proper supplies.
- Remove children and pregnant women from the area.
- Vacuum any loose paint chips or debris on horizontal surfaces
- Dampen and wipe any area that is being cleaned to reduce airborne dust.
- Frequently change disposable cleaning supplies and dispose discard in a trash bag.
- Wash hands and clothing thoroughly following cleanup.