Lead Advisory FAQs
Q: What is a lead advisory?
A: Because housing built before 1978 often included lead-based paint, lessors must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint or lead-based hazards prior to renting any pre-1978 housing. Federal and California law requires that notice be provided to persons who are exposed to even extremely small quantities of lead. This page serves a periodic update to a series of advisories issued to Escondido Village and Mirrielees Student Housing residents concerning lead in paint; it serves as an addendum to the lease agreement and fulfills the lessor’s lead-based paint notification requirements. Receipt of this notification also serves as an acknowledgment by the lessee that the required information has been provided by the lessor.
Q: Is lead in paint always hazardous?
A: Lead in paint is not considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be a hazard unless it is present in concentrations above 0.5% by weight, is accessible to them, and is in poor condition. But lead from paint chips and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. For more information about lead, please see the EPA’s online brochure “Lead, Protect Your Family” https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead.
Q: How does Stanford University evaluate lead-based paint in Escondido Village and Mirrielees Student Housing?
A: At Stanford we continue to evaluate portions of Escondido Village and Mirrielees for the presence of “lead-containing” or “lead-based” paint, a project that has been ongoing since August 1991.
With the one exception described below, to date, interior housing surfaces tested at Escondido Village and Mirrielees have been found to be below the regulatory definition of “lead containing” (i.e., the paint contains less than 0.5% lead by weight). The base coat of paint on the radiator covers in some of the Increment II units in Escondido Village apartments has been found to be slightly above the 0.5% level at 0.8%. In no case where a radiator cover yielded a “positive” test result was the surface coat found to be the problem. All radiator covers have been painted over with non-lead containing paint.
Sand sampling was performed at all common play areas in Escondido Village and the results were consistently negative. A limited amount of soil sampling has been performed. The results of those tests were below hazardous levels as well. Projects to abate identified potential lead hazards, such as new play equipment and benches, were completed before 1996.
Testing for the presence of lead-containing paint on surfaces at Escondido Village and Mirrielees is an ongoing effort as needed during construction and maintenance activities. Escondido Village residents who notice damaged paint on radiator or heater covers should report such damage by submitting a Fix-It ticket. Mirrielees residents should also report any such damage by submitting a Fix-It ticket.
Blood screening for lead has been available free of charge to all Escondido Village children under seven years of age over the past several years. To date, no positive blood lead results have been detected. Interested parents should contact RDE-Safety@stanford.edu
Q: Who should residents contact with any questions or concerns about the matters described on this page?
A: Please feel free to contact RDE-Safety@stanford.edu