Use wet cleaning methods on floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop, sponge or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner. 

Only use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and a beater bar. Not all vacuums will clean up lead dust.

Cleaning Up Take-Home Lead Dust in your Home and Car

Limpiando su hogar y automóvil del polvo de plomo que se lleva a casa

Children can become exposed to lead by putting objects in their mouths or by touching objects containing lead dust and then putting their hands in their mouths.  Monitor children’s activities and limit those behaviors. Wash toys often to remove lead dust and wash hands frequently, especially before eating.

 Short-Term Actions to Prevent Exposure to Lead

Medidas a corto plazo para prevenir la exposición al plomo

Remove known or suspected lead hazards from the home or make inaccessible to children.

Follow lead-safe work practices or hire a certified professional to remove lead-based paint.

• Find a NC Certified Lead Professional in your area.

• Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right (En español aquí)

• Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program: Consumers

• Examples of Lead-Safe Work Practices

Clean or remove work clothes and shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil, work sites or hobbies. Shower after participating in activities in which you may have been exposed to lead.

Keeping Lead at Work and Preventing Take-Home Lead Exposure

Manteniendo el plomo en el trabajo y previniendo la exposición al plomo que se lleva a casa

Avoid products that are known to contain lead by staying current on recall notifications.

• Sign up for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall notifications for items such as toys, jewelry & clothing. 

• Sign up for the FDA’s recall notifications for food, spices & baby formula.   

Flush your home's pipes before using the water for drinking or cooking by running the tap for five minutes or by taking a shower, doing laundry, or a load of dishes. Cleaning your faucet aerator will also decrease lead build-up.

Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.

 Sources of Lead in Drinking Water

Fuentes de Plomo en el agua potable

You can also purchase a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) 53-certified faucet water filtration system or a filter pitcher that will remove lead. More information about NSF filters and a list of certified filters are on the NSF filter web page. 

Eat a well-balanced diet with foods high in protein, calcium, iron and vitamin C. These foods can help reduce the body’s absorption of lead. Don't prepare or store food or drink in lead crystal glassware or imported pottery.

 Fight Lead Poisoning With a Healthy Diet

Combata el Envenenamiento con Plomo con una dieta saludable