Appendix C 
Minneapolis Lead Hazard 
Control Program 
Abdut the Program 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, implemented a Lead Hazard Control Program, a comprehensive mon¬ 
itoring, outreach, and education program to control lead dust in homes, day care facilities, and 
other areas where lead dust is a problem. This program educates businesses and the general 
public about lead dust poisoning and provides turnkey information written for local agencies 
and nonprofit organizations interested in setting up lead centers inside of retail stores in their 
communities. Lead centers offer information and supplies to help protect children from lead 
poisoning. Minneapolis s goal is to eliminate lead hazards by the year 2010. 
Established in 1998, the Lead Hazard Control Program has been well received by participating 
retailers and the general public. As a result of the program s implementation, the general public 
is increasing its knowledge of lead-based paint and has an effective, affordable, and convenient 
way to clean up potentially harmful lead dust in their homes and apartments. People who were 
potentially creating lead hazards, such as painters and home-remodeling contractors, learn about 
lead-safe work practices. Retailers who set up lead centers at locations such as hardware stores, 
paint stores, and garden centers attract additional customers, which increases their business and 
store sales and engenders good will with their customers. Store staff provide guidance on lead- 
safe work practices and offer products and resources that are needed for working safely with 
lead, beyond the use of a HEPA vacuum. 
Partner □ rganizatidns 
The city of Minneapolis s Lead Hazard Control Program receives funding from the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development. Minneapolis also collaborates with a number 
of community, city, county, and state organizations to help fund and realize this effort. 
Identifying the Audience 
Since children under age 6 are most susceptible to lead poisoning, the state of Minnesota passed 
guidelines requiring mandatory blood testing of all children in this age group living in the 
Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. These guidelines were developed and are being imple¬ 
mented by health commissioners, pediatric doctors, and nurses working with the state health 
commissioner and Department of Health. The city is alerted if lead blood levels exceed 10 
micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood ( g/dL). A letter is sent to parents and the property 
owner is notified if a child tests at a low level of concern (10 to 19 g/dL). Members of the 
child s household are invited to participate in the HEPA vacuum lender program and are 
offered a free lead dust inspection of their premises. They are instructed with simple steps to 
clean and reduce the child s lead exposure. For children with elevated blood levels (more than 
15 g/dL for 90 days), lead inspectors visit the home immediately. Minnesota reports a 90 per¬ 
cent success rate in reaching the homes that need treatment. 
Day care providers are another target for lead dust education in Minneapolis. The program 
educates the day care provider, who then educates the parents. The program also has enlisted 
the involvement of public health nurses who educate the children in day care settings about the 
importance of washing their hands and taking off their shoes before entering their houses. 
Minneapolis 
Lead Hazard 
Control program 
S 9 
