How do children get lead poisoning?
Most of the lead poisoning in Massachusetts comes from lead paint dust in older homes. Many homes built before 1978 have lead paint on the inside and the outside of the building. According to the American Community Survey (2012-2016), 71% of Massachusetts’ housing stock is built before 1978. When old paint peels and cracks or when windows and doors are opened and closed, it creates lead paint chips and lead dust. Home renovations also create lead dust. Lead dust lands on the floor.
Most children in the United States (97.5%) have blood lead levels less than 5 micrograms per deciliter of blood (µg/dL). According to the Center for Disease Control, if a child’s blood lead level is 5 µg/dL or greater, the source of the lead exposure (usually the home) should be investigated. Lead poisoning causes permanent damage to a child’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Lead gets into a child’s body when he puts his hands and toys in his mouth. Children can also breathe in lead dust. Children between the ages of 9 months and 6 years are most at risk. Even at low levels, lead can make it hard for children to learn, pay attention and behave. If you are pregnant, lead can hurt your baby. Read more about childhood lead poisoning at Childhood Lead Poisoning.
What does the Massachusetts lead law require?
The Massachusetts Lead Law protects a child’s right to a lead-safe home. The Lead Law requires making homes safe if they were built before 1978 and have a child under the age of 6 living there. Property owners must comply with the Lead Law. If a child gets lead poisoning from his or her home, the owner is responsible, even if the owner didn’t know about the lead. It is the owner’s job to find out about lead. Have the home inspected.
There are 2 ways to comply with the lead law:
Remove or cover all lead hazards like chipping and loose lead paint on windows, doors, and other surfaces children can access. After the work is done safely and approved, you will get a Letter of Full Deleading Compliance.
Fix only the urgent lead hazards. This temporary method is called interim control. After the work is done safely and approved, you will get a Letter of Interim Control. This letter is good for up to 2 years. After that, the hazards must be permanently corrected if children under 6 still live there.
For more information on the MA Lead Law and compliance requirements, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-massachusetts-lead-law
What prevention services are offered?
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) offers case management services to children with blood lead levels 10 µg/dL or greater. This includes working with pediatricians and community health workers to provide clinical support. It is important to find out where your child is getting lead. If you rent your home, ask your landlord to test your home for lead. If your landlord refuses, call CLPPP. A state inspector will test your home for free. If you own your home, hire a licensed lead inspector to test your home. Massachusetts has a large private sector of licensed lead inspectors that provide services, like property transfers, qualification of units for housing subsidy programs, and rental property compliance with the Lead Law. The Lead Inspections Data Glossary includes a detailed description of all environmental activities. Additional information can be found on the CLPPP website. includes a detailed description of all environmental activities. Additional information can be found on the CLPPP website.
If there is lead paint in your home, the owner must fix it. Fixing the lead paint in a home is called deleading. Deleading can be dangerous. It must be done by someone who has been trained to do the work safely. Some work can only be done by a licensed deleader. To learn more, call CLPPP. If you own your home, you can get money to help you pay for deleading. Call the Get the Lead Out Program at 1-617-854-1000 for details.
Available data
MA CLPPP records the lead history of homes and daycares built before 1978. The public can access a property’s lead history and some inspectional documents including reports and Letters of Compliance through Lead Safe Homes or the Explore Massachusetts Lead Inspections Data link above. This page can help you discover your home’s lead history to make important decisions about buying, selling, or renting a home.
There are TWO databases to search from:
- Lead Safe Homes 2.0 has lead inspection reports and compliance documents.
- Lead Safe Homes 1.0 lists a property’s lead history. It does not have copies of documents.
Related links
Additional resources
National
- U.S. CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention Program: Provides information on the federal lead poisoning prevention program
- National Environmental Public Health Tracking: To view the National Environmental Public Health Tracking website (link to specific content site coming)
- U.S. CDC Lead Program Grants: Lists state and local lead poisoning prevention programs
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ‘s environmental sources of lead: Comprehensive website with information on health effects, sources, regulations, and government contacts on lead in paint, dust and soil
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Describes information for reducing exposure to lead in the home
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs for Lead: Fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about lead
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Information for the public and educators on the hazards of lead and programs for reducing exposure, including research studies