Residential Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

About Our Program

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) established the Residential Lead Hazard Prevention Program (RLHPP) to respond to concerns about lead and its effect on the health of Kansans, most notably our children.

Lead is common in our environment and many individuals, especially children, show no outward signs of lead poisoning. Blood lead levels (BLLs) as low as 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) are associated with harmful effects on children's learning and behavior. BLLs as high as 70 ug/dL can cause seizures, coma, and death. The most common cause of childhood lead poisoning today is the deterioration or disruption of a lead paint surface of a home.

Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA) 65-1,200 authorizes the Residential Lead Hazard Prevention Program (RLHPP). Key provisions of the law give the Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the authority to establish and administer the following activities:

• Administer a certification, licensure, accreditation and enforcement program for individuals and firms involved in lead-based paint activities and abatement projects.
• Administer a Pre-Renovation Education Program to educate the public and remodeling industry on lead hazards.
• Promote a public awareness campaign to increase knowledge about childhood lead poisoning prevention strategies.
• Increase professional education opportunities regarding childhood lead poisoning prevention strategies.

Blood lead poisoning surveillance activities for the state of Kansas are conducted by the Kansas Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (KS-EPHT), which is part of the Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics. Surveillance activities are provided through a partnership with local health departments and other entities involved in the testing, reporting, monitoring, and management of blood lead. All blood lead test results are reportable to KDHE within 24 hours. The KS-EPHT program maintains a blood lead level database and provides blood lead poisoning data and other environmental health data to the public. For more information, please visit the KS-EPHT program website.

The RLHPP is funded by cooperative agreements from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and fees from the certification and licensure of individuals and firms.

Residential Lead Hazard Prevention Program
1000 SW Jackson Street
Suite 310
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 866-865-3233
Fax: 785-559-4246
Email Residential Lead Hazard Prevention Program
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm by appointment only