Lead Free LLC

OUR MISSION

Lead Free LLC was formed to prevent any future lead poisoning by providing comprehensive and effective lead testing and cleaning services. We aim to furnish ongoing biennial lead clearance certificates for properties in the City of Cleveland and within the State of Ohio.

OUR VISION

There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects and we believe no child or adult should ever be lead poisoned.

Lead exposure is preventable!

Our goal is to keep our community safe from any lead exposure and we aspire to address the issue of lead poisoning in our community one property at a time.

Be Informed!

"Cleveland City Council passed new lead paint requirements for landlords... The law requires owners of rentals built before 1978 to have their properties inspected for lead hazards every two years. Cleveland’s Building and Housing Department will start enforcing the new rules in March 2021 and require all rentals to be certified as lead safe by 2023."

Nick Castele. "'Enforcement is near' for many landlords as part of Cleveland's lead poisoning prevention law." News 5 Cleveland, https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/enforcement-is-near-for-many-landlords-as-part-of-clevelands-lead-poisoning-prevention-law. 07/26/2019.

All lead testing begins with a visual test. The lead technician will not perform an actual test if the home fails the visual inspection. Not passing a visual inspection will guarantee failing the lead dust wipe sampling/testing. Please refer to the "Prepare For A Visual Inspection! The goal is to pass..." section on this website. If any of the conditions listed are present in and around the home, you will not pass the visual lead inspection and will still be required to pay for the initial visit.

Once you pass the visual inspection, our clearance technician will then evaluate the entire home. Lead dust samples will be taken. It is important to have your home clean and free of dust in order to pass any tests. Failing any of the tests will require you to clean your home once again prior retesting, and you will also be responsible for payment for another visual inspection and any further cleaning and/or sampling/testing.

Prepare For A Visual Inspection! The goal is to pass...

You or a representative should be home for the scheduled inspection. Someone must be present during the visual inspection.

Make sure you don't have a visibly dirty or dusty home.

Cover any visible soil with mulch.

Make sure there are none of the the following visible failed paint anywhere:

peeling paint on upper overhangs and soffits
peeling paint on any window system
deteriorated wood with peeling paint
paint chips on the ground, basement, window wells, or anywhere inside or outside the property
peeling paint on basement walls, floors or ceilings (NOTE: if you have a basement, the lead technician or inspector is mandated to enter your basement.

*Note for rental properties: It is the landlords' sole responsibility to clean the property in preparation for the lead clearance test. Please do not ask your tenants to clean the home.

The importance of lead safe living

Lead is a neurotoxin that adversely impacts human health. It is particularly dangerous to children and cause developmental delays and impediments that result in significantly reduced academic performance, increased juvenile justice involvement, and other lifelong consequences.

Because of the age of Cleveland’s housing stock and the disinvestment in it, children growing up in Cleveland are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning and its negative consequences. Recognizing this, Cleveland City Council in 2019 passed legislation that requires owners of rental property in the City to prove that their dwelling units are safe from lead hazards.

"Lead Certification - The importance of lead safe living." CITY OF CLEVELAND OHIO. https://www.clevelandohio.gov/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/CityAgencies/BuildingHousing/LeadCertification. 07/26/2017.

**The effects of lead exposure are not reversible. The goal is to prevent childhood lead exposure before harm occurs by removing lead hazards from the environment.**

SOURCES OF LEAD HAZARDS

Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in paint, soil, jewelry, toys, home remedies, ceramics, candy, and water. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings are by far the most common form of lead exposure for children in Cleveland. Over 90 percent of rental units in the City of Cleveland were built before 1978—the year consumer use of lead-based paint was banned nationally. Because of this, many residents, especially low-income renters, may have trouble finding homes that are safe from lead hazards.

Surfaces in the home that rub against each other, like windows and doors, can produce leaded dust that ends up on surfaces or floats in the air. People can ingest or inhale the toxin when they spend time in areas where this dust is present. Children—especially those under the age of six—are most at risk. It takes less than a teaspoon of dust—the size of a sugar packet—to cause serious, long-term harm.

"Sources of Lead Hazards." About Lead: Sources & Exposure. Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition. https://leadsafecle.org/about-lead/sources-exposure. 07/26/2021.

FAQs about Clearance Examinations

1. If lead-contaminated dust was found to be below Federal standards, does that mean that my property is "lead-free?"

No. Lead-based paint may be present. The lower levels can still be dangerous, and the source of dust may still be present. Because the clearance tested for levels of lead in dust at the time samples were taken, the levels could change over time.

2. The results indicated that lead was undetectable, is my property "lead-free?"

No, only paint testing can determine for certain whether a property is free of lead-based paint. A clearance test only tests for the presence of lead in dust at the time of testing. Lead in dust could exist later.

3. Where does the dust come from?

Dust can dome from many sources including renovation or maintenance work, lack of regular cleaning, deteriorated painted surfaces, or sources from outside the property. The test does not evaluate the quality or effectiveness of renovation or maintenance or the state of existing building conditions. Only a certified/licensed risk assessor is qualified to determine the source of lead dust. If the clearance test occurred right after maintenance or renovation work was done, a thorough re-cleaning and second clearance test may be the most prudent course of action.

4. What kind of cleaning will remove the deal dust?

*See the advice on proper cleaning; "CLEANING UP" section on this website.

5. Who is responsible for removing the dust?

The property owner is ultimately responsible. If the owner has an agreement with a contractor who just performed work, the contractor may have to perform another cleaning and have the clearance test conducted again.

6. The clearance report shows lead in dust above the Federal standards. What should I do?

The answer to this question depends on whether clearance was performed for HUD-related work or not.

For non-HUD projects: There are regulatory requirements to respond to lead-contaminated dust. However, a proper re-cleaning is recommended to remove the lead-contaminated dust and make the home safe for occupancy. A second clearance test after re-cleaning is recommended. A property owner must disclose to future occupants or potential homebuyers the results of the clearance testing. If a second clearance test shows levels below the standards, this result should also be disclosed to show that you have dealt with the lead hazard.

For HUD-related clearance. Proper re-cleaning followed by another clearance examination is required. The unit must be re-cleaned and clearance performed until the clearance shows no lead dust above the HUD standards. If the clearance examination identifies lead-contaminated dust, owners of rental properties must inform the occupants of the results of the clearance examinations even if the lead dust was successfully removed. It is important that occupants be aware that there has been lead-contaminated dust in the property because it could occur again in the future.

7. What should I do to monitor the lead-based paint hazards?

If paint is disturbed in the future, follow lead-safe work practices and conduct clearance again. If a child under six or a pregnant woman moved into the unit, consider having dust wipe samples collected and tested for lead-contaminated dust. If you want to know more about lead hazards or lead-based paint in the unit, consider hiring a certified risk assessor or lead paint inspector.

8. Should I keep the report? For how long?

The report should be kept as a reference in case issues arise later. For example, you may need it to comply with Federal disclosure requirements if you rent or sell your home. For work on HUD projects, the report documents whether a unit meets HUD requirements for clearance after rehabilitation or maintenance. In any case, it is most prudent to plan to keep the report indefinitely.

CLEANING UP

It is very important to use proper cleanup procedures at the end of any remodeling, repainting, or maintenance job. Dust and paint chips left behind at the end of the job may contain lead and may endanger children. Have dust wipe samples collected at the end of the job to be sure that is is safe for children to return.

CLEANING THE WORK AREA

1. Pick Up Work Area

Pick up large chips with damp paper towel.
Mist then push dust into dust pan.

2. Pick Up Protective Sheeting

Clean off protective sheeting. Fold dirty side inward (dirty side to dirty side). Dispose of protective sheeting at the end of each job. Protective sheeting may be used again within the same work area if it has not already been folded.

3. Vacuum

HEPA vacuum all horizontal surfaces - slowly.
Vacuum all ledges, sills, stools, molding tops, dusty surfaces, etc.
Vacuum floor under work area. Use vacuum corner tools in corners, cracks or trim, and between floor boards.
Vacuum floor with floor brush and carpet with a carpet tool.
Important: Vacuum carpet very slowly.

4. Mist and Scrub

Wet rag with detergent then wring out.
Mist surface or rag as you clean.
Lead needs scrubbing, not just wiping.

5. Rinse Rag

Squeeze rag into empty side of split bucket. Rinse out rag. Squeeze into empty side. Repeat as needed.
Change rinse water often. Use paper towels first if surfaces are very dirty. Replace rag when it looks dirty.
Recommendation: Make a final pass with a HEPA vacuum.

CLEANING FLOORS

1. Mist and Scrub

At start of cleaning, soak mop in detergent water then mist area with detergent before mopping.
Scrub with mop.
Squeeze mop into empty bucket then rinse in rinse water. Rinse often. Squeeze out and rinse again. Mop small areas at a time.

2. Rinse

Repeat above process using clean water rather than detergent. When cleaning up a worksite, use a new mop head for rinse stage.
Recommendation: Make a final pass with a HEPA vacuum.

Federal Disclosure Rule

Homebuyers and Renters: Know Your Rights Before You Buy or Lease

Many homes and condominiums built before 1978 have lead-based paint. Paint that has chipped or is deteriorating, or on surfaces that rub together such as windows and doors, creates lead dust which can pose serious health hazards to occupants and visitors. Homebuyers and renters have important rights to know about whether lead is present -- before signing contracts or leases.

Homebuyers

Federal law requires that before being obligated under a contract to buy target housing, including most buildings built before 1978, buyers must receive the following from the home seller:

An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (PDF).
Any known information concerning the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the home or building.
- For multi-unit buildings, this requirement includes records and reports concerning common areas and other units when such information was obtained as a result of a building-wide evaluation.
An attachment to the contract, or language inserted in the contract, that includes a "Lead Warning Statement" and confirms that the seller has complied with all notification requirements.
- Sample Seller’s Disclosure of Information (PDF) in English (PDF) and in Spanish (PDF).
A 10-day period to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. Parties may mutually agree, in writing, to lengthen or shorten the time period for inspection. Homebuyers may waive this inspection opportunity. If you have a concern about possible lead-based paint, then get a lead inspection from a certified inspector before buying.

Renters

Federal law requires that before signing a lease for target housing, including most buildings built before 1978, renters must receive the following from your landlord:

An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards, Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (PDF).
Any known information concerning the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the home or building.
- For multi-unit buildings, this requirement includes records and reports concerning common areas and other units when such information was obtained as a result of a building-wide evaluation.
An attachment to the contract, or language inserted in the contract, that includes a "Lead Warning Statement" and confirms that the landlord has complied with all notification requirements.
- Sample Lessor's Disclosure of Information in English (PDF) and in Spanish (PDF).

If you have a concern, ask your landlord to get a lead hazard inspection from a certified inspector before signing your lease.

"Real Estate Disclosures about Potential Lead Hazards." United States Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/lead/real-estate-disclosures-about-potential-lead-hazards, 07/26/2021.