Angie's List Lead Safety Tour

Lead paint has been getting a lot of attention in the news these days, mostly related to children's toys and products. At Angie's List, we want to help get the word out about the dangers of lead paint on the actual structure of consumers' homes (around windows, on walls, etc). So we have partnered with teams of local experts who work every day to increase awareness of lead safety practices. Beginning in September 2007, we will join these local partners in a city near you, to help educate consumers and contractors alike about how to be safe around lead paint.

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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 600,000 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.

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Background about the Angie's List Lead Safety Tour

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."

Angie's List staffers contacted nearly 200 companies across the country whose employees regularly disturb lead paint during the course of their work to ask about the dangers of lead-based paint. 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.

An Angie's List member survey, conducted in conjunction with the investigation, found that 51 percent of poll respondents 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.

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