Industrial News

(PRWEB) August 29, 2007 -- In an effort to educate the public about the dangers of lead poisoning, Angie's List and teams of experts will criss-cross the nation during the next eight weeks to offer homeowners lead testing and safety training on avoiding situations that could irreversibly harm their children. The Angie's List Lead Safety Tour will also offer training to help contractors safely work around lead-based paint.

Angie's List, the national consumer organization that helps homeowners find reliable help in more than 280 categories of service, including painting and remodeling, is offering the safety training and testing free to the public. Experts will discuss the dangers that lead poisoning pose and will offer:

Testing opportunities:

Lead-level testing for household products and toys
Blood-lead level testing for children

Training opportunities

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved safety training for contractors who work with lead-based paint
Informal seminar for homeowners about what they need to know when hiring a contractor who will disturb lead-based paint
Tutorial for do-it-yourselfers who will disturb lead-based paint

The Angie's List Lead Safety Tour will be presented in Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Denver; Detroit; Houston; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; San Francisco; St. Louis; Tampa, Fla.; and Washington DC. Additional cities may be added. Visit http://leadsafety.angieslist.com for details on the tour schedule.
The tour was developed in response to an Angie's List investigation into contractors' lead-safe work practices. During the investigation, Angie's List staff contacted nearly 200 companies whose employees regularly disturb lead paint during the course of their work. Responders from one-third of the companies, even when prompted with specific questions about lead-based paint, gave advice that could put people, especially young children, in danger. Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage to young children.

Federal housing officials estimate that 24 million American homes contain dangerous levels of lead-based paint, which was commonly used prior to 1978 when it was banned from use. When working on homes built before 1978, contractors are required by federal law to notify owners and tenants that they may be disturbing lead-based paint. The law also requires them to provide homeowners with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's pamphlet, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."

A nationwide poll of Angie's List members found that 51 percent live in a home built prior to 1978. Of those members, 75 percent said their contractor failed to warn them about the possible dangers of lead-based paint, and 85 percent never received the pamphlet.

"We find the results of this investigation alarming," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List. "We are concerned that our members are being given incorrect information about lead-based paint. The goal of this tour is to bring together experts who can educate the public about the hazards associated with lead."

Because lead-based paint is present in so many homes, it poses danger for every income-level. Angie's List CEO, Bill Oesterle, was rehabbing an older home in Indianapolis when his then two-year-old daughter suffered the effects of lead poisoning.

"My family learned firsthand how damaging lead poisoning can be to young children," Oesterle said. "It is important to me that Angie's List helps educate the public and contractors about this issue so that other families can avoid exposing their children to this toxin. This is an avoidable situation, and education is truly our greatest weapon."
Angie's List is where consumers turn to get the real scoop on local contractors and companies in more than 280 different categories. Currently, more than 500,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie's List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the Angie's List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; a monthly newsletter with even more information and coupons; and they can utilize the Angie's List complaint resolution service. Get more information and consumer tips at www.angieslist.com.

For more information about lead paint and the dangers of lead poisoning go to http://www.epa.gov/lead/