Lead Education and Poisoning Prevention

Children must be tested for lead poisoning if they live or spend time in homes built before 1978.  

Young children who have contact often with an adult who works with lead through work or a hobby must also be tested. These adults should also be monitored for lead.  

Testing can be done through your child’s physician’s office. If your child does not have a physician or medical insurance, you can find services at:
Columbus Health Resources 
Primary One Health 

• Behavior and learning problems
• Lower IQ and hyperactivity
• Slowed growth
• Hearing problems
• Anemia 
• Learn more

Renovation, repair or painting can create toxic lead dust. Before you renovate, find an EPA, lead-safe certified contractor in your area. Start here.

For homeowners renovating, repairing or painting a home built before 1978, projects can easily create dangerous lead dust.  

• Set up safely
• Control the dust
• Clean up completely 
• Learn more about lead-safe work practices. 

Keep yourself, your kids and customers safe!

Lead dust is a danger that comes mainly from lead paint used in homes built before 1978. There is no safe level of exposure. The amount that can poison a child is so small that you can’t even see it! 

Who needs RRP Certification?

The U.S. EPA requires that RRP lead-safe certified contractors preform RRP projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and preschools built before 1978. This includes:

• General contractors;
• Special trade contractors (painters, plumbers, carpenters and electricians)
• Residential rental property owners/managers.

Are you certified to work in pre-1978 housing? If not, would you like to be?

Columbus Public Health (CPH) and Environmental Training Center are teaming up to offer free U.S. EPA Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Paint (RRP) Certification Trainings in Columbus! This class is:

• 1 day
• Offered in English and Spanish
• Offered from October 2024-March 2025
• Limited in size

Free RRP Certification Classes!

Trainings Dates

Trainings in English

• October 22, 2024
• October 23, 2024
• November 19, 2024
• December 3, 2024
• December 10, 2024
• January 14, 2025
• February 11, 2025
• March 11, 2025

   

  Trainings in Spanish

• November 20, 2024
• December 4, 2024
• December 11, 2024
• January 15, 2025
• February 12, 2025
• March 12, 2025

Free HEPA Vacuum!

 While supplies last, each business that takes part in this training and gets RRP firm certified will get a free contractor grade HEPA Canister Vacuum (a $500 value)! The HEPA vacuum meets OSHA standards and U.S. EPA RRP standards to remove lead dust.

A business that is already RRP firm certified may also get a HEPA vacuum if it has one or more staff finish the training. Businesses must give proof of RRP firm certification including EPA firm certification email and RRP certificate. Columbus pick-up available or provide your own UPS or FedEx shipping account to pay for shipping.

• To register for the RRP Certified Renovator Course see the training calendar located at:  https://www.environmentaltraining.com/course-calendar
• Trainings provided by the Environmental Training Center.
• Questions: English 513- 821-7772; Spanish 513-502-0073

For more information about lead-safe renovation, repair and safe practices: https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program

For more information about Ohio licensed lead abatement contractors and lead-safe workers: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/lead-licensure-and-accreditation-program/welcome

Healthcare Provider Lead Resources

Healthcare providers, including family physicians, play a key role in preventing lead poisoning by identifying children at high risk, testing their blood lead levels, and connecting families to follow-up services.

All children living in or visiting pre-1978 housing must be screened for lead poisoning at age 1 and 2 and receive a venous confirmation if the result is ≥ 3.5 µg/dL according to Ohio Administrative Code. Most homes inside the I-270 outer belt are pre-1978. In addition, children in families from S. Asia, Africa, N. Africa and Central and South America should be screened due to potential exposure from non-property sources such as lead contaminated cookware and spices.

Lead Poisoning Testing Recommendations(PDF, 106KB)

Explains Columbus Public Health blood lead testing recommendations and time-frames from capillary screening to venous confirmation and required blood lead test follow-up timeframes. 

Public Health Lead Investigations(PDF, 745KB)

Explains how CPH helps families after a venous confirmation at the blood lead reference level of 3.5 µg/dL or above. Note: All test results must be reported to the Ohio Department of Health by the testing laboratory or office.

Lead Testing Appointment and Results Card(PDF, 622KB)

Provides basic lead information and test results documentation with venous confirmation follow-up appointment space.

Ohio Department of Health Lead Screening and Management Resources

Centers for Disease Control Lead Guidelines and Recommendations

Lead Education and Poisoning Prevention (LEAPP) – Columbus Public Health  

The LEAPP program helps residents stop exposure to lead, including education, consultation services, free HEPA vacuum loan, and referral services. To learn more, call the LEAPP Hotline at (614)724-6000

Lead in Water – Columbus Department of Utilities

The water leaving Columbus water plants does not have any lead. Lead may leach into water from water supply pipes from lead service lines, copper pipes with lead solder, and plumbing fixtures like faucets. Learn more.

Grants - Lead Safe Columbus 

Lead Safe Columbus works to make sure Columbus has lead-safe affordable housing. The program offers grants to homeowners and landlords for lead-based paint hazard control.  Learn more.

Lead Inspection Service - Franklin County Public Health

Franklin County Public Health offers a lead inspection service for a fee if you live in a home built before 1978 that’s located in Franklin County. For additional information.  Learn more.