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 

Children

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

Adults

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

Pregnant Women

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

Please download our Lead Poisoning Prevention Toolbox that contains educational materials in a variety of languages.

Topics include prevention, testing, cleaning lead dust, nutrition and more.  For more information contact leadfreekids@columbus.gov.

Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-Toolbox.zip(ZIP, 13MB)

Please note: not all documents are available in every language. 

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/ Ph. (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 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 Columbus Public Health 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 Poisoning Prevention Toolbox

Please download our Lead Poisoning Prevention Toolbox that contains educational materials in a variety of languages.

Topics include prevention, testing, cleaning lead dust, nutrition and more.  For more information contact leadfreekids@columbus.gov.

Lead-Poisoning-Prevention-Toolbox.zip(ZIP, 13MB)

Please note: not all documents are available in every language. 

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.

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 in Franklin County.  Learn more.

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

Columbus-Lead-Contractor-List.pdf(PDF, 152KB)

This list includes licensed lead abatement contractors who are currently active and provide services for residential properties in the Columbus area.

When choosing a contractor:

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

For the complete statewide list of licensed contractors, visit the Ohio Department of Health. Learn more

Find Lead-Safe and Lead-Free Housing

A lead-safe home is a home where lead paint does not harm people. Lead paint was banned for residential use on January 1, 1978. Any home built before 1978 could have lead paint.

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