Free Lead Based Paint Risk Assessments for Red Lake Homes

The Red Lake DNR Environmental Program is looking for homes to test for lead. Many products containing lead are often found in older homes, including lead-based paint. Although the use of lead-based paints was banned in 1978, many older homes may still have these paints on doors, window sills or trim. Children under the age of 6 and pregnant women are at greatest risk of being poisoned by lead. Long-term effects of lead in a child can be severe; effects include learning disabilities, hyperactivity, impaired hearing, brain damage and in cases sever enough, even death. Because of these risks, the Red Lake Environmental Program is partnering with Bois Forte to offer free lead testing in homes through a Direct Implementation Tribal Cooperative Agreement (DITCA) in lead outreach and education.

The criteria for home selection for free testing are:

• Built prior to 1978 (definite or suspected),

• Children 0-6 years of age residing in that home or,

• A home where children spend a reasonable amount of time (like a grandparent’s home).

It doesn’t matter if the home is a rental unit or an owned home, as long as it’s pre-1978 and accessible. This service is completely free.

For more information or to schedule a time to have your home tested, call Cody Charwood at (218) 679-3959 or send an email to ccharwood@redlakenation.org by November 4, 2011.