New EPA Resources Aim to Reduce Lead Exposure during Home Renovation

New resources published by EPA are intended to raise awareness about the prevention of lead exposure during renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) projects in homes built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned for residential use in the United States. The agency’s new “Renovate Lead-Safe Media Kit” includes communications resources for those who work on pre-1978 homes and plan to film, document, or otherwise share their renovation projects with viewers, social media followers, and others. The media kit provides a fact sheet, sample public service announcement scripts, ideas for videos to promote lead-safe work practices, shareable social media posts, and a suggested shopping list for do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) who plan to perform renovation work on older homes. EPA’s resources discuss the risks of lead exposure during RRP projects and steps for reducing lead exposure during home renovation as well as promote the availability of contractors who are certified and trained in lead-safe work practices.

“Social media provides an opportunity to both encourage hiring lead-safe certified contractors and provide DIYers with tools to stay safe from potential lead exposure while they renovate,” EPA’s news release explains. “Those performing and promoting RRP projects can help keep families safe by sharing the resources provided in the [media kit].”

Learn more and access the new media kit via EPA’s website.