David Buttigieg
On the Walls
To find out if your home has lead-based paint, hire a certified lead inspector. Call 888-532-3547 to find one in your area. (The Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend using home test kits, as studies have found them to be unreliable.)
Trying to remove lead paint yourself can make matters worse. Mop floors and wipe window ledges with soapy water to reduce exposure, and hire a lead-abatement contractor (contact the National Lead Information Center, 800-424-5323) for a permanent solution. (Painting over the surface does not remove the hazard.)
In the Water
Lead can leach into drinking water from pipes and plumbing fixtures, so test your water from every faucet. Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) to find a laboratory certified to test for lead in drinking water.
If tests detect lead in your water and replacing the plumbing is not feasible, use pitcher, faucet-mounted, or under-sink filters to reduce lead levels. (The label should say the filter is certified by the NSF International for lead reduction.) And regardless of lead levels, always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula; warm water contains higher levels of lead and other contaminants.
