As part of its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA works with various partners, including schools, to share information, resources and tools regarding the importance of environmental health issues and Healthy Schools.
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Today we will share information about Lead (Pb) and schools.
Lead poisoning is invisible but its effects are preventable. The effects of lead poisoning can last a lifetime.
The most common way to get lead in the body is from inhaling or ingesting microscopic dust. Lead (Pb) Dust
Disturbing lead poses serious health risks to the people in your building, especially children.
Day-to-day wear, as well as common renovation and repair activities, like sanding, cutting and demolition, can create hazardous lead dust and chips.
Use lead-safe work practices to contain dust inside a work area and carefully clean the site when work is done. Keep people out of the work area. Ensure that anyone who performs this work, whether staff or contractor, is Lead-Safe Certified.
EPA regulations now mandate that any contractor or maintenance staff, from plumbers to electricians to painters, who disturbs more than six square feet of lead paint or replaces windows while working in a pre-1978 apartment, school or facility, must now be Lead-Safe Certified and trained in lead-safe work practices. If not, you could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
Helpful Hints Verify that a contractor is certified by checking the EPA website at or by calling LEAD.
Helpful Hints You can also ask to see a copy of the contractor’s Lead-Safe Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) firm certification. Ask if the contractor is trained to perform lead-safe work practices and ask to see a copy of their EPA training certificate.
To become Lead-Safe Certified, find an accredited trainer near you: epa.gov/lead LEAD
Thank you!