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Lead Poisoning Prevention

The Cincinnati Health Department has a dedicated team that responds to lead poisoning in Cincinnati's children. If your home was built before 1978 or you have a child under the age of six, you may qualify for free or low-cost lead hazard reduction through the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Eligible property owners can receive significant grant funding to address lead hazards, such as replacing windows with lead-based paint and completing other safety improvements that reduce lead exposure in the home. Click Here to learn more about CLPPP's $4.4 million dollar HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Grant. 

​Lead paint exposure remains a serious health risk and the leading environmental health problem affecting children in the United States, particularly in older housing found throughout Cincinnati. Even low levels of lead can cause permanent brain damage, behavioral challenges, and learning disabilities, and many families do not realize a risk exists until a child shows elevated lead levels. Our licensed lead risk assessors will help you navigate the application process, determine eligibility, and access available funding to make your home lead-safe! 

You can start the eligibility process for grant funding by filling out the application below: 

For more information about any of the services the Cincinnati Health Department Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) offers, please contact us at: 513-357-7420.

Lead fact sheets are available for download at the links below: 

​English version   Spanish version​

​What Is Lead?
 

Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. It has been used in products like pipes and paint because it is easy to shape and doesn’t corrode easily, but it can be harmful to people and animals if swallowed or inhaled.

Why is it Dangerous?
 

Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses serious health risks to people of all ages. Once it enters the body, it can build up over time and cause irreversible damage to vital organs, including the kidneys, red blood cells, and nervous system.

Who is Most Affected by Lead?
 
Children, especially those under the age of six, are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Even small amounts of lead can affect brain development, potentially causing permanent reductions in intelligence, behavioral challenges, learning difficulties, and other health problems. Because lead poisoning often shows few obvious symptoms, the only way to know if a child has been exposed is through testing by a healthcare professional.
 
Resources 

Blood Lead Testing 

For a list of City of Cincinnati Primary Care (CCPC) Locations, Click Here  
To make an appointment, please call (513) 357-7320
For more information regarding Children's Lead Clinic, Click Here
To make an appointment, please call (513) 803-3688
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Childhood Lead Testing in Cincinnati

Below is an interactive dashboard to visualize the lead testing rates for children living in the City of Cincinnati:

Read More about Cincinnati Lead Data: 2024 Annual Lead Report
 
HEPA Vacuum Loan Program 
CLPPP loans out HEPA vacuums to Cincinnati Residents. Residents may borrow a HEPA vacuum up to six times a year for one-week periods to clean lead dust. A $100 deposit check (which will be refunded at the time of vacuum return) and a valid state identification card is required. Call to schedule an appointment at (513) 357-7420. 
 
Paint Chip Testing
Are you wondering if chipping paint around your home contains lead? The Cincinnati Health Department Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program can test paint chips from your home. Click Here for more information on paint chip testing and to download the testing form.
 
Lookup Lead Product Recalls
If you are interested in looking up a consumer product for lead hazards, please see the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission lookup.
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Ohio Lead Abatement Tax Credit Program  
The Ohio Lead Abatement Tax Credit Program provides a state income tax credit to Ohio property owners who incur qualifying lead abatement costs in connection with an eligible dwelling. The tax credit is capped at $40,000.00 per taxpayer and per eligible dwelling (beginning July 1, 2025). For more information about the Ohio Lead Abatement Tax Credit Program, please visit the Ohio Department of Health Website.
 
Lead Abatement Contractor Search and Renovation
It is federal law that contractors who disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent further lead contamination. You can look for a certified contractor in Ohio with the Environmental Licensing lookup or call (800)-424-LEAD. For more information about renovating requirements please see the EPA guide to renovating right.
 
Lead Water Testing 
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) does lead testing of water for free. For more information, please contact Greater Cincinnati Water Works at: (513) 651-LEAD or Click Here.