Lead Disclosure Rule

Lead Disclosure Rule Protects Children From Lead Paint Hazards In Housing

Lead is recognized as a health risk to people, especially children. Lead-based paint is a major source of lead exposure for children. In 1978, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead-based paint in housing, so lead is most commonly a problem in buildings built prior to 1978.

Lead poisoning can cause permanent damage to the brain and many other organs. It can also cause reduced intelligence and cause behavioral problems. Lead is more dangerous to children than adults because children's bodies absorb more lead, children often put objects in their mouths that can have lead dust on them, and children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

Lead Disclosure Rule

On March 6, 1996, EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued the lead-based paint disclosure rule which ensures that families receive information to protect themselves from lead-based paint hazards. This information will help families make informed housing decisions to reduce their risk of exposure to lead hazards. The rule applies to most housing built before 1978. It requires that:

Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards and provide available reports to buyers and renters;
Sellers and landlords must give buyers and renters the pamphlet titled Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home;
Home buyers will get a 10-day period to conduct a lead-based paint inspection;
Sales contracts and leasing agreements must include certain notification and disclosure language; and
Sellers, lessors, and real estate agents share responsibility for ensuring compliance.

For owners of more than four dwelling units, the effective date was September 6, 1996. For owners of four or fewer dwelling units, the effective date was December 6, 1996.

The Role of EPA

We have been interviewed by the radio and newspaper about the rule, and are currently doing outreach to get information out, which includes mailing out information to over 500 groups and individuals. The addressees consist of states, tribes, real estate associations, rental associations, local governments, consultants, participants at the Portland Lead Conference, and callers to EPA. We are also working with the States, Tribes and Real Estate Associations to plan future outreach.

EPA Administrator Carol Browner said, "Today's action is an important step forward in two areas of critical concern to the Clinton Administration -- protecting public health from serious threats and arming the public with the information they need to protect themselves. The public has a right to know about toxic hazards in the community, and today's action expands that right."

Lead Disclosure Rule

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