Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law

Pittsburgh’s children need protection from lead poisoning; you can help.

Because there is no treatment or cure for lead poisoning, Pittsburgh is committed to preventing children from being exposed to lead in the first place.

On November 30, Pittsburgh City Council passed a Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law. We are grateful for this important step in the right direction to prevent lead poisoning in our children. We’ve worked together with City Council on this comprehensive Ordinance to address the most common pathways of exposure to lead in the city’s children via four mechanisms:

Lead Paint was commonly used until 1978.

Lead-safe rental homes and child-occupied spaces

Inspections for lead paint, dust, and soil hazards will occur in rental homes and child care centers built before 1978. If found, lead must be remedied and subject to reinspection. Additionally, renters and property owners may request inspections. Renters are protected from retaliation

When renovation or demolition causes lead paint to chip, crumble, peel or be disturbed, the resulting dust and debris contain lead and pose a health risk.

Lead-safe demolitions

All city-funded demolitions must have a lead-safe work plan to ensure they are conducted in a lead-safe manner and include notification to neighbors in the surrounding area.

Renovation, repair or repainting projects that disturb lead-based paint can create hazardous lead dust and debris.

Lead-safe renovations and repairs

All contractors or firms working in spaces built before 1978, whether a residence or a space where a child spends time, must demonstrate they will complete their work in a lead-safe manner.

Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40% to 60% of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

Lead-safe drinking water

Approved filters will be installed in all city-owned drinking and cooking facilities, and encouraged in all schools and child-occupied spaces.

The Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law is a good start, and we all have more work to do to make Pittsburgh safer for children:

  • Develop alternate methods to inspect rental properties if the City’s proposed rental registry isn’t enacted within the next six months.
  • Add regulations for lead safety in private demolitions.
  • Create financial incentives for low-income property owners to perform the work to correct lead hazards.