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The EPA “Notice and Disclosure” Rule was designed to help prevent lead poisoning by requiring landlords or sellers to inform tenants or buyers about potential lead risks so that they can take action to make sure lead is properly maintained.
The Portland EPA’s Lead Hotline was established to advise tenants, landlords, buyers, and sellers of the disclosure requirement and to provide a way for people leasing or buying houses to confidentially report possible violations of this rule.
The goal: to educate the public about the hazards of lead, particularly in small children and pregnant women, and to assist landlords, realtors, and sellers or their agents to comply with the disclosure rule.
Lead poisoning is the number one environmental health hazard for young children. Lead poisoning in pregnant women and children under six can lead to hearing problems, slowed growth, damage to the brain, and nervous system and behavior problems. If detected early or prevented, lead poisoning poses much less of a threat.
Children can be exposed to lead from household sources, lead paint chips from peeling paint, lead dust from old paint, soil, or lead pipes. Eighty percent of houses built before 1978 still have lead paint in them.
Lead doesn’t have to be a hazard to families or children, but to protect themselves, families must KNOW.
For more information on lead testing and safety or to confidentially report possible violations of the Disclosure Act call the EPA Lead Hotline at (503) 326-4006.