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RWM Home > Programs > Lead Hazard Prevention

Lead Hazard Prevention

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Introduction

Most lead poisonings in Maine are caused by exposure to dust from old lead paint. More than 60% of the housing in Maine may have lead paint in it. Children under six years of age are most at risk of lead poisoning. Every year, hundreds of children in Maine are found to have elevated blood lead levels. Lead can cause learning disabilities and behavioral problems that last a lifetime. Most children are poisoned by lead hazards in their homes. Exposure to lead is most common in buildings built before 1950 (when paint contained up to 50% lead), and in buildings built before 1978 when repainting or remodeling is done.

What is a lead hazard?

A lead hazard is any condition that may cause exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, lead-contaminated water or lead-based paint that is in poor condition. Maine DEP regulations define the paint conditions and amounts of lead in dust, soil and water that constitute a lead hazard. It is possible to have lead paint in a home without it being a lead hazard.
By law, lead hazards may only be identified by a Maine-licensed lead inspector or risk assessor in the course of a lead inspection. Lead inspections may be performed to comply with a licensing requirement, as requested prior to a real estate sale, as part of a lead poisoning investigation, or because an owner wants to learn where there are lead hazards and lead paint in a home.

Contacts

For more information contact the Lead Hazard Prevention staff at (207) 287-7751.

Statutory Sections

Title 38, Chapter 12-B; Lead Abatement Emergency Provision § 1296

Title 38, Chapter 12-B: Lead Abatement §1291 - §1297

Title 22, Chapter 252: Lead Poisoning Control Act §1314 - §1327

Rules

Background and applicability of Chapter 424

Chapter 424 - Lead Management Regulations

(Off Site) - Federal Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule - New federal rule requires contractors to do lead-safe renovations in homes and day cares built before 1978.

Forms - Applications for lead professionals, lead abatement project notification forms, and real estate and pre-renovation disclosure forms

Additional Information

Information for Landlords and Property Managers

Information for Parents

Lead Dust Testing

Lead Training Course Descriptions (MS Word format) (pdf format)

Asbestos and Lead Training Providers

Find a Lead Professional

Lead Safe Renovation

Residential Lead Inspections conducted in Maine - a listing of properties which have had a lead inspection

Disposal of lead contaminated debris

Code Enforcement Officers Information Packet

Enforcement

Related Programs (Off Site)

Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program - (Maine-CDC)

Maine Housing - Lead Hazard Control Program

Alliance for Healthy Homes - The Alliance for Healthy Homes works to protect children from lead and other home environmental health hazards.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

Consumer Product Safety Commission - recalls of products because of lead content

HUD Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Lab (HETL) - Laboratory testing for lead in soil, paint, dust and water

Maine State Planning Office Waste Management and Recycling Program

National Center for Healthy Housing – The National Center for Healthy Housing brings together the heath, environmental and housing communities to create healthy and safe homes for children through practical and proven steps which decrease children's exposure to lead and other hazards in the home.

National Lead Information Center

US EPA Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil - Includes information on the federal Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.

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