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Lead
Revised 10/04
Lead is a heavy metal used in many materials and products. When absorbed into the body, it is highly toxic to many organs and systems and seriously hinders the body's neurological development. Lead is a natural element and does not break down in the environment. Once lead has been dispersed and redeposited into the environment, it will remain to poison generations of children unless it is controlled or removed. Even very limited exposures to lead are hazardous to children.
While lead poisoning crosses all socioeconomic, geographic, and racial boundaries, the burden of this disease falls disproportionately on low-income families and families of color. In the U.S., children from poor families are eight times more likely to be poisoned than those from higher income families. African-American children are five times more likely to be poisoned than white children. About 22% of African-American children living in pre-1946 housing are lead poisoned, compared with 5.6% of White children and 13% of Mexican children living in older homes - a staggering statistic. In some communities, the poisoning rate is much higher.
CEHRC aims to help those communities most affected by lead poisoning by assiting community groups and residents in becoming trained, certified Lead Sampling Technicians, and sampling for hazards in their own homes and communities. The following hazard assessment protocols for lead demonstrate how to sample for lead in dust, paint chips, soil and water.
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LEAD BASED PAINT (LBP) DISCIPLINES
Who Can Identify LBP Hazards?
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LEAD SAMPLING TECHNICIAN
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INSPECTOR
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RISK ASSESSOR
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Qualified to perform:
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Clearance after non-abatement work
Other dust wipe sampling
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Paint inspections
Clearance
Other lead sampling
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Risk assessments
Paint inspections
Clearance
Other lead sampling
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Not qualified to perform:
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Risk assessments
Paint inspections
Clearance after abatement
Clearance using random sampling of units in multi-family properties
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Risk assessments
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Training/Certification required
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5 hours of training
HUD requires states certification or risk assessor supervision
Some states offer and require certification
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3 days of training
Certification by state or EPA
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5 days of training (including Inspector training)
Certification by state or EPA
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Methods
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Perform:
Dust wipe sampling
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Perform:
Visual inspection
Dust wipe sampling
Soil sampling
Paint chip sampling
XRF testing of paint
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Perform:
Visual inspection
Dust wipe sampling
Soil sampling
Paint chip sampling
XRF testing
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Objectives
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Determine if dust hazards are present by taking a dust wipe and comparing the results to standards.
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Identify the existence, concentration and location of lead-based paint.
To clear a unit after work that disturbed lead-based paint.
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Assess a unit, identify hazards, and recommend methods for lead hazard reduction.
To clear a unit after work that disturbed lead-based paint.
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For more general information on lead poisoning, please see the Lead Poisoning section of the Alliance's website.
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