EPA Archives - Lead Safe Mama

The preview screener of my film passed 21,000 views on YouTube this morning! Please keep sharing friends, TY!

April 19, 2020April 19, 2020

21,000 views on YouTube! What an amazing thrill — the preview screener of my film passed 21,000 views on YouTube this morning! Please keep sharing, friends; thank you so much to everyone who has already shared with your friends! Each time the film is seen by a new family it makes an impact that has…

The preview of the film has already had over 5,140 views on YouTube! Thank you. Please keep sharing, everyone!

December 20, 2019January 5, 2020

3 Comments

Amazing — as I write this (at a few minutes after 4 p.m. on Friday, December 20th), the film preview has already had 5,140 views on YouTube, since I posted the full 92-minute preview screener there on December 12th – at 6:15 p.m.! Here’s the link, in case you have not watched it yet… This…

How can I tell if the paint on my home is Lead paint? Read this post for close-up images of this Lead painted railing – Brooklyn, NY

October 8, 2019October 27, 2021

3 Comments

Q. What does Lead paint Look like? Q. How can I tell if peeling paint is Lead paint? This is just one example of what peeling Lead paint can look like. I will be posting more examples throughout the month (October 2019) – but this is an excellent example of peeling high-Lead paint on the exterior…

Did you get this booklet when you moved in to your pre-1978 rental? Your landlord could be fined $16,000 if you did not.

August 6, 2019April 1, 2024

2 Comments

Because people might find it a little difficult to locate this important document online, I have posted both a link here (click the image above or below to see the document on the EPA’s site), and as a backup [given that so much essential information and vital scientific data has been deleted from the EPA’s website…

Kitchen table positive for 1,400 ppm Lead, yet overlooked by an inspector as an exposure source for a child’s Blood Lead Level.

February 17, 2019November 4, 2021

7 Comments

This kitchen table was positive with levels as high as 1,400 ppm Lead — a hazard that was overlooked, considered insignificant by an inspector, yet was a likely primary source of exposure for a child. A family I visited last year had an unidentified “mystery” source of persistent Lead exposure for their three-year-old son. The…

#AskTamara: How can I test my water for Lead? How do I test the water in my home? How do I test the water in my kids’ school?

November 3, 2018June 5, 2023

1 Comment

Published: November 3, 2018 Updated: June 6, 2023 Question: How can I test my water for Lead? Answer: There are multiple ways… There are a few different ways you can get your water tested for Lead (Pb). [Please read the caveats below the list after you read the list!] Ways to test the water in…

October 17, 2018 CNN Coverage of Dr. Ruth Etzel Story, Interview

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018

From CNN: “EPA director of children’s health, Ruth Etzel, said that she was placed on paid administrative leave without warning. Etzel said she suspects — but had no evidence — that she was sidelined to stymie progress on a major lead poisoning report that was nearing completion.“ Click the image below to watch the video…

Portland Public Schools is simply NOT using the strictest standards nor best practices to protect your children from lead in schools: A series — Part 1: Post Lead-remediation construction dust found at Lewis Elementary School

August 26, 2018April 29, 2024

For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama,…

Okay…now some trolls are accusing me of “capitalizing” on my kids’ lead poisoning!

April 16, 2018January 5, 2020

6 Comments

EPA | EPA Lead Regulations | EPA RRP | Lead Safe Work Practices | Trolls

Offering information and services that help people protect their families and getting paid for your time and knowledge is not “capitalizing” on a tragedy, it’s stepping up and doing what is right, doing what others might not have the energy, time or courage to do. [Especially when you consider that most of what I do…

Home Depot? + The story of when (in 2007) I replaced the original Lead-painted windows in my historic (1905) home.

September 2, 2017June 17, 2023

5 Comments

Originally published on September 2, 2017 Historically, I have had “warm and fuzzy” feelings towards Home Depot in general. Over the years, in addition to shopping there for materials, shop tools and some home appliances, we have also used their Home Improvement Services for several projects. [Plus who doesn’t like credit with no interest for…

You tested my soil, what do the results mean? How do I interpret the data? Is my soil safe?

May 27, 2017April 27, 2020

2 Comments

Click here to read my post about soil testing. You may hear “experts” say that all soil has some amount of lead in it today, in the post-industrial revolution modern era. This is simply not true. I have personally tested countless soil samples from around the country that were completely negative (non-detect / ND) for lead,…

Soil Testing Using an XRF: Send Lead Safe Mama soil samples to have them tested for Lead.

May 25, 2017February 19, 2024

1 Comment

Originally posted: May 25, 2017 Updated: January 1, 2024 PLEASE NOTE: We currently have a 6 to 8 week turn around for reporting soil sample test results (for soil samples sent in by readers) in most cases. We may have urgent testing available (for a higher fee, see below) but this is not always the…

Q: I’m concerned that the original bathtub that came with my older home might have Lead. What should I do?

April 12, 2017May 12, 2023

25 Comments

Originally Posted June 17, 2014 Updated April 2017 Question from Lucy (Via MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic Facebook Page). QUESTION: Hi Tamara, We just bought a new house and it has the original bathtub (1956). What would be the best and most effective way to test for lead? I’d also like to test dishes, toys, water….

Here’s Why the Environmental Protection Agency Was Created…

April 1, 2017April 2, 2017

Click the image below to read the full story! Published March 22, 2017 If you want help, there are two easy ways you can support my advocacy work: 1) Click on the suggested Amazon product links to the right (on this page) before you start your Amazon shopping! You don’t even have to buy any of…

Read this post to learn what I have done at my home to make sure my urban yard and garden are Lead-safe!

February 26, 2017November 5, 2021

6 Comments

Posted here: February 26, 2017 Updated: April 26, 2020 I took this picture of our back yard years ago and realized that every element in the photos had a “Lead story” – so I thought it would be fun to annotate it and share it with you all, in case it could help you come up with some new ideas…

#AskTamara: The inspector is coming tomorrow, what do I need to know?

February 2, 2016May 15, 2024

8 Comments

For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead…

Ask Tamara: How do you get Lead dust out of laundry? (And toys… concrete patios, or furniture?)

September 7, 2015December 28, 2023

27 Comments

For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama, LLC…

Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?

June 23, 2014April 21, 2023

9 Comments

Christine posted on Facebook (6/23/2014): “What do you do once you find lead paint?? I tested last night and found some deteriorating on the front door jamb and I’m so worried about my 2 year old and 3 month old! I can’t afford to hire a contractor. Would painting over it be enough??” ANSWER Here…

Q: Renting a 1950’s House…

June 18, 2014October 23, 2021

6 Comments

May 19, 2014 Kayla QUESTION: Hello! I have come across your site and wondered if you would have the time to answer a question for me? We live in a home in the south built in the 50s. It was completely repainted before we moved in and the lead status is “unknown”. We are renting…