The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc., Merrimack Valley Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (GLCAC Inc. MVLPPP) conducts lead inspections each year due to lead poisoning children referrals, board of health referrals and parental request. Lead-based paint was used both inside and outside of homes, especially on windows, baseboards, trim and doors. Many layers of lead-based paint can be disturbed during remodeling or home repair. The only way to know if your home contains lead-based paint is to have it tested by a licensed lead inspector. If MVLPPP conducts a lead inspection at a residential unit and violations are found the owner must remedy all violations within a certain time frame. Failure to do so will initiate court proceedings by the inspector assigned to the case. Under the law only deleading contractors licensed by the Department of Labor and Industries may engage in the removal, covering or replacement of known lead hazards, with the exception of certain low-risk abatement and containment work that may be performed by an owner or owner’s agent without a deleader’s license. Before such an owner or owner’s agent may perform low-risk abatement he/she must follow the necessary protocol registering with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) to obtain proper authorization.

Once the work is done, the lead inspector or risk assessor issues a Letter of Compliance or Letter of Interim Control. The owner must make sure there is no peeling paint anytime after getting a Letter of Compliance or Letter of Interim Control, and surfaces that were covered remain covered.

The Massachusetts Lead Law and the Department of Public Health’s Regulations for Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control require that residential premises or dwelling units built before 1978 have lead paint violations either abated or contained for full compliance, when a child under the age of six lives in the residential premises or dwelling unit.

You can search for a licensed lead inspector or risk assessor in your area using the links located on this page. Additionally, you can retrieve a list of lead contractors that are qualified to abate any lead-based paint of lead hazards identified in your home.