Protect your tenants. Follow these six steps to maintain a lead-safe property:

1. Prevent damage to paint. Water damage from leaks and moisture causes most paint failure. Keep the roof in good repair. Make sure that gutters and downspouts are not blocked. Fix all water leaks promptly.

2. Watch out for peeling paint. Make it easy for tenants to report peeling paint. Respond promptly, especially when young children or pregnant women occupy units. Check for peeling paint every time you or your workers come onto the property. Take advantage of vacancies to check carefully for peeling paint.

3. Promptly repair peeling paint. Use safe methods that control, contain, and clean up lead dust. Assume that any peeling paint may be a lead hazard, unless a certified lead inspector documents that your property is free of lead paint. Free training courses in lead-safe work practices are now available in many cities. Visit www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/traincert.htm for more information.

Follow these guidelines to work safely with lead-based paint.

• Isolate the work area. Seal off the work are with heavy plastic sheets.
• Shield surfaces from dust. Cover the floor or soil beneath the work area with heavy plastic sheets. Remove furniture from the work area or cover with plastic sheets.
• Protect occupants. Keep children and pregnant women out of the work area.
• Mist painted surfaces before scraping and sanding.
• Do not use tools that create dust and paint chips. A power sander or grinding machine should have a shroud to trap dust. These tools should also have HEPA vacuum attachments. Do not use power washing or abrasive blasting on painted surfaces.
• Beware of toxic hazards when removing old paint. Do not use open flame torches or heat guns above 1100°F. High heat creates poisonous fumes. Never use paint strippers that contain methylene chloride.
• Clean up the area after the job. Roll or fold plastic sheets inward to keep lead-contaminated dust from escaping. Vacuum all floors, counters, molding, window sills, and other surfaces where dust might have settled. Vacuums equipped with a HEPA filter work best. Scrub floors, walls, etc., with an all-purpose detergent and disposable towels. Rinse well. Use a separate bucket for rinse water. Change rinse water often. Dispose of debris, towels, and wash cloths in heavy plastic bags. Never burn leaded debris.
• Protect workers. Workers should wear protective clothing. Before leaving the work area, workers should clean or remove their shoes to avoid tracking dust with lead in it to the rest of the property or to their own homes. Work clothes should be removed as soon as possible and washed separately. Workers should wash their faces, hands, and hair to be sure they are free of dust.
• Leave no lead dust hazards behind. After cleanup is finished, a lead dust test is the only way to be sure that hazards are not left behind. A qualified member of your staff can take dust samples for analysis by an environmental laboratory for a small fee. You can also hire an independent lead professional.

4. Make a habit of lead safety. Be sure everyone is familiar with good practices and has the right tools.

• Train your staff. A training course can help your workers work safely with lead hazards.
• When you hire a contractor to paint or remodel, insist on lead-safe practices.
• When you buy equipment, include features that control lead dust. Vacuum cleaners should be equipped with HEPA filters. Power sanders and planers should have HEPA vacuum attachments.
• Watch out for lead dust hazards. Control, contain, and clean up lead dust whenever units are turned over and after you repaint or remodel.
• Ask for help. Call in a certified lead expert if you or your crew do not have experience with lead hazards.

5. Tell your tenants. Federal law requires owners to distribute a brochure to tenants on possible lead hazards in their homes. This pamphlet, Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home, is free. You can get copies by calling 1-800-424-LEAD. Owners are also required to provide tenants with available information about lead paint and lead hazards and include warning language in the lease.

6. Follow all applicable laws and regulations. Property owners are responsible for knowing and complying with all legal requirements that apply to maintenance activities and lead poisoning prevention at the national, state, and local levels. Nothing on this web page shall replace or in any way limit such legal obligation.