Old Lead Paint

Deteriorating paint in homes built before the late 1970s.

28High burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapProfessional lead-safe remediation — never dry-sand it yourself

How this score is built

100Start
58.6Chemical hazard 9 × 4.6−41.4
48.4Everyday exposure 3 × 3.4−10.2
28Persistence 8 × 2.6−20.8, then rounded to 28
HighThe band28 sits in 20–39.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	9/10	A pooled analysis of 1,333 children in seven cohorts found a 6.9-point IQ decrement as concurrent blood lead rose from 2.4 to 30 µg/dL, with the largest loss (3.9 points) between 2.4 and 10 µg/dL. Low-level environmental lead exposure and children's intellectual function: an international pooled analysis · Environ Health Perspect 2005 DOI 10.1289/ehp.7688 · PMID 16002379 · Abstract · read 2026-10-12
Everyday exposure	3/10	unsourced input
Persistence	8/10	unsourced input

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

The chemical-hazard rating is what drives the score down. Lead paint dust is one of the most serious avoidable household exposures, especially for young children. Disturbing it wrong makes it far worse; use certified remediation.

Evidence strength: strong

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Lower-exposure choices

Vinegar & Baking Soda CleaningMinimal · Home

All 36 home entries, highest burden first →