Lead-Based Paint

Lead-based paint has been in the news recently with reportedly high levels discovered in public areas including the gun range, a day care center, and the water supply of numerous Hawaiʻi schools.

Most paint manufactured prior to 1978 contain lead. More than half of Hawaiʻi’s homes were built before 1980. It is estimated that 69% of homes built in Hawaiʻi between 1940 to 1959, and as much as 89% of homes built before 1940 contain lead-based paint.  

In real estate, if the property was built prior to 1978, the landlord or seller is required by law to provide the tenant or buyer with a written disclosure regarding the presence of lead paint as well as a copy of the brochure “Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home” from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Buyers must be given a 10-day opportunity to test for lead in the paint. Properties built after 1978, vacation rentals, studio units, and housing for the elderly are exempt from these disclosure laws.

The EPA brochure discusses how lead gets into the body, how to test for lead-based paint and how to minimize risks. It is important to note that paint surfaces that are well maintained are generally not hazardous.

Certified inspectors can be found by visiting epa.gov/lead. If a property is found to contain lead-based paint, a contractor certified in the safe removal of lead is required to renovate. You should not attempt to remove it yourself. Many do-it-yourself repairs result in lead contamination due to failure to contain the dust and properly clean the area of contaminated debris.

The EPA brochure is available online at https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-lead-your-home and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health also has numerous resources on their website.