|
Summer is a popular time for DIY projects, but it’s also a season when lead exposure risks can increase, especially in homes built before 1978. Keep your family safe with these quick tips:
Renovation & Repairs
- Before sanding, drilling, or scraping, assume paint may contain lead if your home is older.
- Seal off work areas with plastic sheeting to keep dust from spreading.
- Always clean up with a HEPA vacuum and wet-wipe surfaces when the job is done.
Gardening
- If you live near older buildings, plant veggies in raised beds with clean soil.
- Mulch around your home’s foundation to reduce contact with potentially contaminated soil.
- Wash hands and tools after working in the yard.
Painting
- Use wet-sanding or wet-scraping methods to minimize dust.
- Never use open-flame torches or power sanding on old paint—they release high levels of lead dust.
- Keep kids and pets away from any work area until cleanup is complete.
Cleaning
- Wet-mop floors and wet-wipe windowsills regularly, as these areas collect the most dust.
- Remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking in lead-contaminated soil.
- Wash children’s hands and toys often during outdoor play season.
Learn More
The DOEE Lead Resource Hub is your go-to for DC-specific guidance, testing, and certified professional listings.
DC Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program tracks testing and supports affected families; children must be tested twice by age two.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wetlands in The District Photo Contest
The DOEE Wetland Program’s Photo Contest is open for submissions from May 1 - July 31.
Juneteenth Celebration at the FH Faunteroy Center & Resilience Incubator
The FH Faunteroy Center & Resilience Incubator is hosting their 6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration. Come out and celebrate excellence, community, and resilience with a day full of local DC resource sharing and fun, family‑friendly activities. The event details are as follows:
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10:00am – 4:00pm Where: 4800 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE, Washington DC 20019
ReThread DC Events
ReThread will be hosting several workshops at the Southwest Neighborhood Library, located at 900 Wesley Place SW. The workshops will cover a range of mending techniques and upcycling projects for beginner and intermediate sewers. To kick off the series, Rethread will be hosting a clothing swap for all ages, sizes, and genders that will feature items in gently used condition. Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 28th:
 
DC State Fair
Save the Date! Sunday, September 6, 2026, Downtown DC
A YEAR OF OUTREACH: PARTNER WITH US!
 The Lead-Safe and Healthy Housing Division at DOEE is having an exciting year of outreach activities. We invite all interested parties to join hands with us in promoting lead-safe, mold-free, and radon-free living environments. Reach out to Olivia Davida at Olivia.Davida@dc.gov for collaboration opportunities. Here’s a glimpse of what’s next.
- October (Last Full Week): Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
- December: Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Together, let’s make a difference in the District!
Pollinator Protection and Pesticide Safety Guidance
Pollinators are a vital part of our ecosystem. This year, Pollinator Week is June 22-28. Check out the pollinator and pesticide guidance below and visit Pollinator Protection | doee for more information.
Spotted Lanternfly Guidance
Learn more about what to do when you see this invasive species in and around The District: Invasive Species - Spotted Lantern Fly | Urban Forestry
Lead Resource Hub
 The DOEE Lead Resource Hub is your central online source for essential information and tools to understand and prevent lead exposure in Washington, DC. Whether you're a parent, healthcare provider, renter, homeowner, or community advocate, the Hub connects you to:
- Insight into lead sources from paint, dust, water, soil, and consumer products.
- Guidance on identifying risk, accessing support programs, and filing complaints.
- Directions to key initiatives like lead hazard reduction, compliance enforcement, and water safety.
- Contact info for community and agency partners.
DC Health’s Carbon Monoxide Detector Program
 DC Health’s new Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Program provides free CO alarms and easy safety training to eligible residents in Wards 5, 7, and 8, including adults 65+ and families with children under 18. The plug-in alarms are simple to install. DC Health will provide free CO alarm tabling events in the lobby of its main headquarters, 2201 Shannon Place SE, every second Wednesday of the month, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Lead and Healthy Housing Resources
Spring Outreach Bloomed
The Lead-Safe and Healthy Housing Division has been out in the community speaking with tenants and homeowners, environmental and building professionals, parents, and children, providing resources from across its three branches. Both the Healthy Homes Fair (March 21, 2026) and Senior Fest (May 20, 2026) garnered over 2,000+ attendees, respectively. Check out some of the highlights:
Electrify DC Healthy Homes Fair, March 21, 2026:
 DPR Senior Sports Clinics, April 9, 2026 & April 23, 2026:
 Friends of Anacostia Park NatureFest, April 13, 2026
 Bright Beginnings Spring Bling, April 30, 2026
 EV Grand Prix, May 2, 2026
 DPR Senior Fest, May 20, 2026:
RECENT RECALLS
There have not been any Food & Drug Administration or Consumer Product Safety Commission official recalls related to lead exposure between March 2026 and June 2026. Please check their websites periodically for updates:
-
FDA Recalls (to view Lead Recalls, search “Levels of Lead” using the search bar)
-
CPSC Recalls (to view Lead Recalls, click “Lead” using the Hazard tab)
|
