Welcome to LeadSAFE Erie County, the Erie County Department of Health’s (ECDOH) program to prevent lead poisoning. On this page, you will find information about lead poisoning prevention trainings, programs, and services available to homeowners from the ECDOH and our community partners.
To have your tap water tested for lead, contact the Erie County Public Health Lab at (716) 898-6100.
Eleven zip codes in Erie County have been designated by the New York State Department of Health as “Communities of Concern”: 14201, 14204, 14206, 14207, 14208, 14210, 14211, 14212, 14213, 14214, 14215, and 14225 (west of I-90). Children who live in these zip codes are at exceptionally high risk for lead poisoning. Communities of Concern Map.
Was your house built before 1978?
If so, then you should assume that your home has lead in it and take steps to protect your household and reduce the risk of lead poisoning. Use the database below to find out what year the house you are living in was built.
Home Renovation, Repair Painting (RRP) and Trainings
Hiring a Contractor?
Make sure they are certified in RRP!
Contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting (RRP) in pre-1978 housing need to have this certification and must take special precautions around paint that may contain lead. Under the strict EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, which took effect on April 22, 2010, special certification is required for all home improvement work in housing built before 1978 and in ANY child occupied facility. This rule is intended to ensure that any activity that disturbs paint in older housing is performed using lead-safe work practices. For more information, visit the EPA RRP website or call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
Training for Homeowners: Free Lead Safe Work Practices Training
In these classes you will learn how to work safely around lead when remodeling, repairing, or painting your home. Every year hundreds of children are diagnosed with lead poisoning due to exposure to lead during home repairs and renovations. Learn more and register here.
Lead Safe Tool Borrowing Program
The Lead Safe Tool Borrowing Program is a partnership between the ECDOH and the Tool Library which was created to provide the knowledge and tools that families need to protect themselves from lead exposure and maintain affordable, clean, and safe housing.
More Lead Prevention Programs
The FREE Healthy Neighborhoods Program helps people make their homes safer. Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) staff provide supplies, information and perform safety inspections of homes. This program helps improve the quality of life in each neighborhood and is funded by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is responsible for case management of lead poisoned children, conducts investigations and provides information to parents of children under age 18 years old that have tested positive for elevated blood lead levels.
Lead It Go is a free, voluntary program to address the effects of lead exposure in children from birth to age 3 years old.