Lead Education and Poisoning Prevention

Home lead test kits are quick and usually good at finding high levels of lead in painted surfaces.

Complete the online form for a free home lead test kit.

After you submit the test kit request form, you will receive lead poisoning prevention information through email, and the lead paint test kit will be mailed to you.  

For Columbus and Franklin County residents. Limit one kit per household, while supplies last. 

Children must be tested for lead poisoning if meet any of the following:

• Live or spend time in homes built before 1978
• Live with or visits an adult who works with lead through work or a hobby
• Live with families that have cultural practices from South Asia, Africa, North Africa, and Central and South America due to possible exposure from lead contaminated cookware, spices, makeup, and cultural items.
• Or answer “Yes” to any of the additional screening questions. Learn more about blood lead testing requirements for Ohio children less than 6 years of age.

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 access to medical services at:

• Nationwide Children’s Primary Care Centers

• Columbus Public Health Resource Center

Children

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

Adults

• Increased blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Neurological problems
• Infertility and impotence

Pregnant Women

• Increased risk of miscarriage
• Reduced fetal growth or lower birth weight
• Some risk of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

Learn more about the dangers of lead.

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

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. 

The Lead Poisoning Prevention Toolbox contains educational materials available in several languages.

Topics include prevention, testing, cleaning lead dust, nutrition and more. To get a free copy or for more information contact leadfreekids@columbus.gov.

Lead can be found in many places, including some household and food products. Staying informed about recalls helps prevent exposure and protect your family and community.

Products where lead may appear:

• Food-related items: imported cookware, spices, candy and cosmetics.
• Children’s products and toys (imprints, paint, jewelry, accessories).
• Household goods such as imported cookware, adult jewelry and decorative items.

Most lead recalls for foods and household goods are ordered by two U.S. government agencies that provide up-to-date lists and information:

Food Related Products Recalls: cookware, spices, cosmetics and candy

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA regulated products advisories
Cinnamon products listing
Imported cookware listing

Children’s and Household Product Recalls

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

To find CPSC lead recalls, search the CPSC Recalls & Products Safety Warnings database by selecting “lead” in the Category drop menu on the search bar.

What to Do with a Recalled Item?

• Stop using it right away.
• Follow instructions from the company or agency on how to return or throw it away.
• Do not donate or give away recalled products.
• Make sure to keep products away from children if it’s only safe for adult use (e.g., adult jewelry, cosmetics, keys).
• Consider testing children who may have been exposed.

If you are unsure if a product has lead, the Columbus Public Health LEAPP Program may be able to test it for you. Call 614-724-6000 or email leadfreekids@columbus.gov for more information.

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! 

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

Free RRP lead-safe worker, inspector, and contractor trainings are available in Ohio!

Who needs RRP Certification?

The U.S. EPA requires RRP lead-safe certification of anyone who orders or performs work that disturbs paint in homes, child care facilities and preschools built before 1978.  The certification training is provided in one-day and is good for 5 years. Trades include:

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

Who needs Lead Abatement Contractor License?

Ohio law requires any contractor who intentionally removes lead paint or works on a property that has a lead hazard control order to be a licensed lead abatement contractor.

For training opportunities, contact:

Columbus Area Trainer: http://inservicetrainingnetwork.com/ or call 614-436-0980

Ohio Department of Development, Lead Safe Ohio Program: https://development.ohio.gov/community/housing-and-homelessness/lead-safe-ohio-program

City of Columbus Lead Abatement Contractor training or opportunities to start bidding please contact the Lead Safe Columbus Program at leadsafecolumbus@columbus.gov

For more information:

US EPA RRP Certification and lead-safe renovation and repair information: https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program

Ohio Lead Licensure and Accreditation Program: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/lead-licensure-and-accreditation-program/welcome

Health Care Provider Lead Resources

Health care providers 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.

Children in families from South Asia, Africa, North Africa, and Central and South America also should be screened due to potential exposure from lead contaminated cookware, spices, make-up, and cultural items. 

Lead Poisoning Prevention Toolbox

The Lead Poisoning Prevention Toolbox contains educational materials for the public and medical staff in a variety of languages. For a copy or for more information contact leadfreekids@columbus.gov.

Topics for medical staff include

Lead Poisoning Testing Recommendations: 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: Explains how Columbus Public Health helps families after a venous confirmation at the blood lead reference level of 3.5 µg/dL or above. 

Lead Testing Appointment and Results Card: Provides basic lead information and test results documentation including venous confirmation and follow-up appointment.

Continuing Medical Education

Free 1-hour CME presentations are available through partnership with the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Childhood Lead Poisoning: Role of the provider in screening and education

Healthcare providers have an important role to play in conducting lead screenings and educating families on the risks and impacts of lead exposure. This presentation is for general pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists and nurses.

Learning objectives include:

• Explain the health effects of elevated blood lead levels in children.
• Identify environmental sources of lead exposure and risk factors for lead poisoning in children.
• Describe interventions by local health departments after the identification of lead poisoning.
• Apply mandated lead testing requirements for children.

For additional medical guidance, visit: 

Ohio Department of Health Lead Screening and Management Resources

Centers for Disease Control Lead Guidelines and Recommendations

Lead Screening During Pregnancy and Lactation

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 Water and Power

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 about lead and drinking water.

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.  

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 in Franklin County.  

Columbus Area Licensed Lead Abatement Contractor List and Checklist for Selecting a Contractor

This list includes licensed lead abatement contractors who are currently active and provide services for residential properties in the Columbus area. For a copy or for more information contact leadfreekids@columbus.gov.

When choosing a contractor:

• Use the Checklist for Selecting a Licensed Contractor.
• Always get three or more quotes before making your decision.

Please visit the Ohio Department of Health for a complete statewide list of licensed contractors.  

Find Lead-Safe and Lead-Free Housing

A lead-safe home is a home where lead paint does not harm people. Any home built before 1978 when lead paint was banned could have lead paint.

The Ohio Housing Locator provides a list of some lead-safe and lead-free rental homes in Columbus. To determine if a pre-1978 home is lead-safe or lead-free, a professional lead inspection, risk assessment or clearance inspection must have been done.  

The Lead Safe Registry Map shows homes in Columbus that have been checked and found safe from lead hazards through the Lead Safe Columbus Program. Homes marked as "lead-safe" may still have lead paint, but had no lead-based paint hazards, dust or soil when last checked.

Note: Homes on this map may not be available to rent. Contact property owners for details.

RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

Generations of structural racism from historical redlining continues to impact African Americans in our community by creating inequities. Children in these communities continue to suffer from lingering health disparities caused by redlining, including safe and affordable housing, food access, education, and access to care.

THE NEED

Every year in Columbus, an average of 141 children have elevated lead levels. Lead exposure affects the health, safety and wellbeing of children by damaging their brain and nervous system, causing speech and hearing problems, and increasing antisocial behavior that leads to violence and incarceration. Most times, these children are poisoned right in their own homes, especially in redlined and disinvested neighborhoods where the homes are older than 1978 when lead paint was banned. All children deserve a safe house.

GOAL

All children in the City of Columbus are lead free by 2040.

INITIATIVE OVERVIEW

The Healthy Children and Safe Homes by 2040 initiative is a bold, collaborative intervention to prevent all children in Columbus from being lead poisoned by the year 2040. The health equity initiative will include multiple partners and stakeholders who will increase outreach and education, screening and testing, workforce development, and repairs and remediation.

Find out more about project accomplishments and activities through the Year In Review:

2024 Year in Review(PDF, 580KB)
2025 Year in Review(PDF, 501KB)

TARGET COMMUNITIES

While we work to improve the health of all children, the Healthy Children and Safe Homes by 2040 initiative will begin with three Columbus
communities where there are 7,500 kids under age 6 and 24,000 high risk units:

• Near East/Livingston Ave. Corridor
• Greater Linden
• South Side

ANTICIPATED COST - $44 MILLION

• Lead Hazard Repairs/Remediation: $36,000,000
• Workforce Development: $4,380,390
• Screening/Testing Supplies: $3,119,610
• Education and Outreach: $500,000

LEARN MORE

For questions about this initiative and how you can help, email leadfreekids@columbus.gov.