New England has some of the oldest housing stock in the nation, making the region more vulnerable to poisoning from lead paint.
The first apartment I moved into in New England had slanted hardwood floors, original windows, and layers of history. I loved its charm. But as someone new to the area, I didn’t realize that many older homes can also contain a hidden health risk: lead-based paint.
I knew to look for natural light, closet space, and a reasonable commute. But I didn’t know to look for peeling paint around old windows or dust on worn surfaces. Lead-based paint is common in homes built before it was banned in 1978. When that paint begins to peel, chip, or create dust, it can expose children and families to lead – a toxic metal that can cause lifelong health problems.
The Health Risks of Lead Exposure
Lead poisoning often causes no obvious symptoms, especially at first. Young children face the greatest risk because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Even low levels of lead exposure can affect learning, behavior, attention, and development. Lead can harm people of any age – in adults, it raises the risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage, and it poses serious risks during pregnancy. These risks matter especially in our region, where much of the housing stock predates the ban.
The good news is that lead poisoning is preventable. Whether you’re renting an apartment, buying an older home, or have lived in New England for years, knowing what to look for can help you reduce the risk and protect the people you love.
Here are five things renters and homeowners can do to learn about potential hazards, reduce exposure, and find additional help when they need it.
#1. Ask About Lead Before You Rent or Buy
Before signing a lease or buying a home, ask when the building was constructed. If it was built before 1978, there is a greater chance it contains lead-based paint.
For most homes built before the ban, renters and buyers have the right to receive known information about lead-based paint or lead hazards before signing a lease or purchase agreement. The EPA’s website provides a good starting point to learn more about these requirements and any exceptions that may apply. Look for lead disclosure forms in your lease or purchase documents, and ask the landlord, property manager, or seller whether the home has ever been inspected or repaired for lead.
I get it. When you finally find an apartment or a home that fits your needs, asking more questions can feel like one more hurdle between you and the keys. But asking early can help you make a more informed decision before you move in.
#2. Look for Warning Signs
When you’re touring an apartment, it’s easy to focus on the things you can picture immediately: where the couch will go, whether your plants will get enough light, or how much closet space you’ll have. But in an older home, take a closer look at the painted surfaces, too. Look for places where paint is peeling, chipping, cracking, or creating dust. Lead dust is often hard to see, but it collects on floors, windowsills, doors, porches, stairways, and other painted surfaces that get a lot of wear.
Keep in mind that a visual check cannot tell you whether paint or dust contains lead. Testing by an appropriate professional can provide more information about whether lead hazards are present. If you have questions about your rights or what steps to take next, a tenant-rights or legal aid organization can help.
If you’re a fellow renter, I know raising a problem with your landlord can feel intimidating, especially when you just want to feel secure in your home. Renters’ protections and legal options vary by state, but organizations across New England can help you understand your rights and what resources may be available to you.
- Connecticut – CTLawHelp
- New Hampshire – 603 Legal Aid
- Maine – Pine Tree Legal Assistance
- Massachusetts – Massachusetts Legal Help
- Rhode Island – Legal Key Partnerships for Health and Justice
- Vermont – Vermont Legal Aid
#3. Reduce Lead Dust with Simple Cleaning Habits
Cleaning does not eliminate the source of a lead hazard. But public health agencies recommend certain cleaning practices to help reduce lead dust while a longer-term solution is being addressed. The EPA recommends using a damp mop or wet cloth to clean floors, windowsills, and other surfaces where dust collects. Wet cleaning helps keep dust from spreading into the air.
The CDC also recommends washing children’s hands and toys often, especially before meals and after playing on the floor. Removing shoes at the door can also help keep contaminated soil from being tracked indoors.
These measures can reduce exposure to lead dust, but they are not a substitute for identifying and safely addressing the underlying lead hazard.
#4. Get Help with Repairs That Could Disturb Lead Paint
Repairs and renovations can create dangerous lead dust when they disturb old paint. If you know or suspect that your home has lead-based paint, don’t sand, scrape, drill into, or otherwise disturb it like you would during an ordinary DIY project.
Even small projects can create dust, so it’s important to know what you’re dealing with before getting started. The EPA recommends hiring a lead-safe certified contractor for work that could disturb lead-based paint in homes built before 1978. Federal rules also generally require paid contractors doing this kind of work to be certified and follow lead-safe practices.
If you rent, ask your landlord how they plan to address the problem and whether the work will be done by a lead-safe certified contractor. If you own your home, you can use the EPA’s resources to find certified professionals in your area.
#5. If You Suspect Lead Exposure, Talk to a Healthcare Provider
One of the most alarming things about lead poisoning is that exposure often causes no obvious symptoms. If you think a child, pregnant person, or anyone in your household may have been exposed, talk to a healthcare provider about a blood lead test.
Testing is simple, and early action matters. A blood test can confirm whether someone has been exposed and guide what to do next. If you have any concerns, call your healthcare provider or local health department and ask about testing – it’s a quick call that can bring real answers.
BONUS: Push for Stronger Lead Protections in Your Community
Communities need stronger laws, better enforcement, and more funding to make it happen.
Contact your local and state elected officials and urge them to fund lead inspections, repairs, and abatement. They should strengthen housing standards, protect renters who report unsafe conditions, expand lead testing for children, and make prevention programs easier to access.
No family should have to choose between stable housing and a healthy home. That’s why, for decades, CLF has worked alongside New England communities to prevent lead poisoning and push for protections that stop hazards before families are exposed. We’ve made progress, but there’s still work ahead.
A Future Without Lead
I still love New England’s older homes, and I know now that charm and safety should go hand in hand. New England’s triple-deckers and historic homes are part of the region’s character. They have helped generations of families build memories, find community, and create a sense of home. With the right action, we can keep these homes standing and make them safe for everyone who lives in them – so the next generation inherits the charm, and none of the harm.
