Removing Lead

If a lead hazard is identified, a contractor can be hired to remove the lead hazard.

This option is recommended because they are legally required to be trained and certified for lead remediation (removal) in homes built before 1978. Families who decide to remove or reduce lead hazards themselves or are completing “do-it-yourself” renovations to an older home should follow these guidelines:

Paint

Families can take steps  to minimize their families contact with lead dust if a home has chipping or deteriorating paint. These steps if completed properly and monitored regularly will temporarily stabilize the paint to keep it from creating dust. However, these steps will not remove lead-based paint from a home. Family members who decide to fix lead paint problems should make sure they have the right skills and equipment for each project. See Working With Lead Paint Fact Sheet for detailed instructions on how to work safely with lead paint. 

REMEMBER: 

  • Keep children and pregnant or nursing women away from lead paint hazards and areas of home repair or renovation until surfaces are repainted and the area is fully cleaned. 
  • Failure to follow the detailed instructions provided within the Working With Lead Paint Fact Sheet may cause more lead dust to be released into a home.

Soil

If a family member or certified contractor identifies high levels of lead in the soil, there are a few actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to families. The best option is to hire a company to remove the top 1 foot of dirt. If this is not possible, families can use ground cover to reduce access to the soil. Rocks, mulch, plants, or grass can be placed or planted on top of the contaminated bare soil to prevent exposure to lead dust. Children should be kept away from the soil if it is not removed or covered adequately.

Water

Water can be contaminated with lead if a home contains pipes made with lead, pipes joined with lead solder, and/or leaded fixtures. If pipes or plumbing are contaminating drinking water with lead, a plumber should be hired to replace them. If a home’s fixtures or faucets are the cause of lead in drinking water, a contractor can be hired to replace the fixtures or families can replace them themselves. Use the following to interpret water sampling results: 

  • Water sample collected after 30 seconds or more of flushing contains high levels of lead: pipes or plumbing may be the source of the lead contamination. 
  • Water sample collected after 8-18 hours of stagnation contains high levels of lead: contamination source is likely the fixtures or faucets.
  • Both samples contain high levels of lead: fixtures, faucets, pipes, and plumbing may contain lead. 
  • Both samples test negative for lead: lead was no detectable at the time the testing was performed.

Remember, a water sample will only test positive for lead if it’s present during the time the sample was taken. All water systems slowly fall apart over time, and eventually plumbing may corrode and introduce lead into drinking water. Poorly designed and maintained rainwater catchment systems are another source of contamination. DOH recommends that systems owners follow the recommendations listed in Guidelines for Rainwater Catchment Systems in Hawai‘i. These guidelines provide information on proper building materials for water collection and storage, recommendations for system maintenance, and information on water treatment and testing options. In addition, precautions should be taken by rainwater catchment users during periods of increased volcanic activity. See Precautionary Measures for Residential Rainwater Catchment Users During Volcanic Activity for more details.