Lead Safe Work Practices

10 Minutes With Tamara Video: Mama Janice in Canada talks about Lead concerns in her daughter’s school

10 Minutes With Tamara Video: Mama Janice in Canada talks about Lead concerns in her daughter’s school

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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, LLC…

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

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

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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!

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

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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

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

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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…

What does peeling Lead paint look like? How can I tell if peeling paint is Lead paint? – Rural Pennsylvania

What does peeling Lead paint look like? How can I tell if peeling paint is Lead paint? – Rural Pennsylvania

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This is just one example of what peeling Lead paint can look like. I will be posting more examples throughout the month of October as I travel the country for Lead Poisoning Prevention Month 2019 – but this is an excellent example of the “alligator pattern” that Lead poisoning prevention advocates look for in a…

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.

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.

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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…

#AskTamara: How do I report a Lead Paint violation? [Video by #LeadSafeMama]

#AskTamara: How do I report a Lead Paint violation? [Video by #LeadSafeMama]

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Scroll down to see the video (its just about 2 minutes long.) Please see links below for additional helpful information about Lead paint hazards and identifying and reporting violations. Thanks for being here!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions! Tamara Rubin #LeadSafeMama Related posts here on Lead Safe Mama’s blog…

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

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

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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?

#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?

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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…

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

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

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  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,…

#AskTamara: I’m concerned that contractors at my Portland, Oregon elementary school are not using lead safe work practices. What should I do?

#AskTamara: I’m concerned that contractors at my Portland, Oregon elementary school are not using lead safe work practices. What should I do?

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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, LLC…

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

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

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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.

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

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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?

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

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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.

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

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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?

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

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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….

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

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

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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?

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

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       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?)

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

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  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?

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

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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…

Q: Renting a 1950’s House…

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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…