each room to avoid recontaminating an area by cleaning it with dirty water. The cleaning mix¬ 
ture can be put into a spray bottle, which will help keep dust levels down. Use paper towels to 
avoid using dirty rags that might recontaminate areas that have already been cleaned. 
Step 3: Vacuum again. Start at the far end of the unit, and again work toward the main exit. 
Vacuum every inch of the windows, and use the attachments to reach difficult areas, such as 
where the floor meets the floor boards. Use the brush attachment for the walls. Move slowly 
and carefully to capture all the remaining dust. 
7.2 HEPA Vacuum Loaner Program 
The Syracuse Lead Dust Project makes HEPA vacuums available, free of charge, to the commu¬ 
nity through the CBOs, who have trained staff that help residents implement recommended 
cleaning methods. The HEPA vacuum coordinator demonstrates use of the HEPA vacuum and 
instructs CBOs on proper equipment handling and 
storage. Vacuum maintenance is performed by the 
Syracuse staff, as explained in section 7.3 below. 
Each CBO has program applications and lease agree¬ 
ment forms for the HEPA vacuums. (See the back of 
this chapter for a sample HEPA vacuum lease form). 
Syracuse worked to develop a lease that not only cov¬ 
ered legal issues, but that also avoided legal jargon that 
might discourage residents from wanting to participate 
in the program. After filling out a questionnaire that 
requires basic information (e.g., name, address, tele¬ 
phone, number of people living in the household), the 
resident signs a lease form agreeing to properly operate 
the vacuum. Syracuse arranges for the pick-up and drop-off of the HEPA vacuums at the resi¬ 
dents homes. This way, residents can get the vacuum in hand, avoiding the burden of transport¬ 
ing the vacuum back and forth to the CBO storage area. 
HEPA Vacuums Available Through 
Retail Stores in Minneapolis 
T he city of Minneapolis Lead Hazard Control 
Program has established an innovative and highly 
successful lead education and HEPA vacuum rental pro¬ 
gram through local retailers. 
Implemented through local community organizations, 
the program provides turnkey information and techni¬ 
cal assistance to local retailers such as hardware stores, 
paint stores, and gardening centers, as well as neighbor¬ 
hood churches and community centers, to establish and 
run a lead center inside of their establishments. See 
Appendix C for more information about Minneapolis 
Lead Dust program. 
7.3 Disposal of Lead 
Dust Debris and Used 
H E PA F I LT E R 
EPA has interpreted federal hazardous waste 
regulations to exclude lead dust and waste 
from lead-based paint activities in residences. 
This means that in states like New York that 
follow federal guidelines, lead dust and debris 
from cleaning activities can be disposed of 
with regular household waste. EPA recom¬ 
mends the following best management prac¬ 
tices for the proper handling and disposal of 
lead-based paint waste: 
• Collect paint chips and dust, dirt, and 
rubble in plastic trash bags for disposal. 
5 2 
Chapter 7 
