How can I protect myself from lead?

How can I protect myself from lead?

If you live in a home built before 1978:

  • Wash toys and flat surfaces – like windowsills and tables – using soapy water.  Follow these safe lead cleaning tips for lead paint chips and dust.
  • Take your shoes off before going into your home to avoid tracking lead-containing soil and dust from outside.
  • Vacuum with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered vacuum.
  • Eat healthy foods with calcium, iron, and vitamin C to limit the amount of lead getting into your body.
  • Always wash your hands before eating to keep from accidentally swallowing lead dust.
  • Grow fruits and vegetables in raised beds.
  • Keep paint in good repair; fix chipping or cracked paint right away, and consider hiring a certified lead professional to test your home and help with home repairs and renovation in houses built before 1978.
  • Visit the Paint & Dust page to learn more.

If you’re worried about lead in your drinking water:

  • Use an NSF-certified filter and only use cold water for drinking or cooking.
  • Run your water before using it for drinking or cooking (also called flushing your lines).
  • Visit the Drinking Water page to learn more.

If you have a job or hobby that uses lead:

  • Wear the right protective equipment.
  • Wash your clothes separately from other laundry. After washing lead-contaminated clothing and removing them from the machine, run the rinse cycle once before using the washing machine again. 
  • Visit the Jobs & Hobbies page to learn more.

If you use imported goods or foods:

  • Pay attention to recalls that are caused by lead.
  • Throw away any recalled household items or food.
  • Visit the Household Items & Imported Goods page to learn more.