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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Lead can be very harmful, especially to young children. The most important step parents can take is to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.

    • Childhood lead poisoning at low levels may make learning difficult, interfere with growth, harm hearing and delay development.  
    • Childhood lead poisoning at high levels may cause coma, convulsions and even death.

    Lead can be found throughout a child's environment, including:

    • homes built before 1978 that contain lead-based paint
      • peeling and cracking paint makes lead dust that can poison children when they swallow or breathe in the dust
    • certain water pipes
    • some consumer products, such as some toys and jewelry
    • some candies imported from other countries or traditional home remedies
    • certain jobs and hobbies involve working with lead-based products may cause parents to bring lead into the home.

    Lead Paint Inspection and Removal

    Any contractor doing renovation in PA homes older than 1978 must be a certified renovator. The purpose of lead-safe renovation is to assure that new lead hazards are not created during the work. The EPA enforces the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule in Pennsylvania. For a searchable list of Certified Renovators visit the EPA website.

    There are two main types of certifications for contractors in Pennsylvania who address lead-based paint (LBP) in residences:  the PA-certified companies and individuals who do abatement work and the EPA-certified renovators.

    • certified firms
    • inspectors
    • risk assessors
    • project designers
    • lead workers
    • lead supervisors

    For more information about LBP abatement certification, go to PA Department of Labor and Industry Lead Occupations.

    • certified renovators

    To learn more about renovation projects in older housing, go to EPA RRP Program

    The Department of Health provides a toll-free Lead Information Line (1-800-440-LEAD) to respond to caller questions and provide electronic materials about lead poisoning and other environmental hazards.

    ​Lead Resources

    Lead Information Line: 1-800-440-LEAD

    Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance​ Dashboard

    Lead Surveillance Program

    Lead Poisoning FAQs

    Lead Poisoning Prevention Training

    The Importance of Childhood Blood Lead Testing    

    Testing Children for Lead Poisoning | Lead | CDC

    Contact Us

    Bureau of Family Health
    Division of Child & Adult Health Services
    Health and Human Services Building 
    625 Forster St. 
    Seventh Floor, East Wing    
    Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701
    717-772-2762