Regular cleaning indoors to remove household dust is important to minimise lead exposure in lead-contaminated environments around the house. However, when cleaning is done using ‘dry’ methods such as sweeping, dust can be lifted into the air which will re-settle on surfaces later.

The best ways to REDUCE POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO LEAD-CONTAMINATED DUST in and around the house are:

• VACUUMING carpets, curtains, furniture and upholstery using a vacuum cleaner fitted with HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air filter).
• DISPOSE OF VACUUM DUST in the bin, not in the garden

• REGULARLY DUST SURFACES with a damp duster, especially door and window screens and sills and wet mop floors. Remember that dust gathers in corners and behind furniture and doors.
• Take care when ACCESSING AREAS SUCH AS CEILING SPACES AND CAVITY WALLS as these can accumulate large amounts of dust
• Use DOOR MATS and LEAVE SHOES OUTSIDE
• KEEP WINDOWS AND DOORS CLOSED ON DRY WINDY DAYS
• SEAL CRACKS IN WALLS and BETWEEN CEILING AND INTERNAL WALLS to reduce dust entry
• HOSE OFF HARD SURFACES around the house especially – don’t use a blower-vac
• WASH AND BRUSH PETS OUTSIDE regularly to reduce the dust on their fur
• REDUCE DUST FROM THE GARDEN by covering bare soil with grass, mulch, pine, crusher dust, pavers or some other hard surface
• WASH HANDS AFTER GARDENING AND CLEANING and keep and wash dusty gardening clothes separately.

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