Lead paint disclosure in Tennessee

The federal rule says any known lead-based paint or lead hazards have to be shared. If they hold records about lead in the house, they have to give those to you too.

They also need to give you the EPA pamphlet on lead and attach a Lead Warning Statement. The EPA's page on real estate disclosures spells out what's required.

Buyers have 10 days to have the place checked for lead. Use that window to bring in a certified pro, because Tennessee requires lead inspections to be done by someone certified by the state.

Out of 3,243,954 homes in Tennessee, 1,262,991 (39%) went up before 1980. Among rentals, 40% of the state's 971,761 units, 388,941 in all, predate 1980, per Census data. That means this rule touches a lot of buyers and renters.

Only firms and people holding TDEC certification, from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, can inspect, assess, or remove lead paint in pre-1978 housing. A risk assessment looks for lead hazards like peeling paint or dust. Abatement means the hazards get removed or sealed off for good.

The EPA has authorized the state program since January 17, 2001. TDEC issues credentials under Rule Chapter 0400-13-01, which puts into effect the state's 1997 law on certifying lead-based paint abatement work, the Tennessee Lead-Based Paint Abatement Certification Act of 1997.

Before you hire anyone to test or remove lead, ask to see their TDEC certification, because the state requires it for this work.

Guidelines from the Tennessee Department of Health call for a blood lead test at 12 months and again at 24 months. Kids between 36 and 72 months who've never been tested should get one as well. Every child on TennCare must be tested, per the state guidelines.

If a blood test drawn from your child's vein shows a lead level of 15 ug/dL or higher, or the level stays high over time, the doctor should ask for a home investigation to look for lead sources.

Children from birth through 72 months get case management and outreach through the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Public health investigations of homes need the program's sign-off first. If you're worried about your child, you can call the program.

Memphis Housing and Community Development operates a Lead Hazard Reduction program that hires approved contractors to clear lead hazards out of single-family homes. Those contractors need TDEC lead firm and worker certifications along with EPA RRP certification.

A lead paint law firm can review your case for free. You'd talk with a case reviewer from the firm whose ad runs here, and those conversations may be recorded. This website is a lawyer advertisement, not legal or medical advice.