Rules on Painting Lead Content in Kitchen Cabinets

Using Paint

• In the United States, since 1978, it has been against the law to use lead-based paint anywhere in a home, including on kitchen cabinets. While lead-based paint may still be available from pre-1978 stocks, it is not approved for use. This means that any new, commercially available paint you buy to apply to your kitchen cabinets is free of lead and safe to use.

Lead Paint Removal

• If you own a house built before 1978, there is a chance that the paint on the kitchen cabinets have lead content. Newer layers can prevent exposure to the lead paint underneath, but as they become worn or chipped, the lead can still cause harm. Rather than painting over cabinets with lead content, you may want to strip the cabinets down to the bare wood and repaint them. To do this, you'll need to follow basic safety rules, including wearing breathing protection to prevent inhalation of lead particles. Removing the cabinets and sanding them outdoors will prevent lead from circulating throughout your home.

Training and Inspection Rules

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administers rules that apply to home inspectors and renovators who deal with lead paint. In order for these professionals to inspect and certify homes built before 1978 where children live, they must have EPA-approved training. If you hire someone to inspect your kitchen cabinets for lead or to renovate your kitchen, make sure he has EPA certification.

Disclosure

• Since 1996, federal rules from the EPA and Department of Housing and Urban Development have required landlords to disclose the possible presence of lead paint in homes or apartments built prior to 1978. Even if a landlord installs new interior walls as part of a major renovation, having pre-1978 kitchen cabinets would make this disclosure necessary. If your landlord provides you with a lead paint disclosure form, exercise caution around painted kitchen cabinets by keeping children away from them. Also request that the landlord paint over any chipped or worn areas.