Final answer:
Landlords and sellers must provide a 'Protect Your Family from Lead Paint in Your Home' pamphlet and lead paint disclosure for buildings constructed before 1978 due to the high prevalence of lead-based paint in older homes and the associated health risks. Preventative measures and adherence to regulations can reduce these hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The requirement to provide the "Protect Your Family from Lead Paint in Your Home" information and the lead paint disclosure form to prospective buyers and tenants applies to buildings that were constructed before 1978. This is because lead-based paint was widely used prior to its ban for use in housing by the U.S. government in 1978.
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that a significant percentage of older homes still contain lead-based paint, which can pose serious health risks, especially to children and pregnant women. It is important to note that lead poisoning is preventable, and both state and national policies are in place to mitigate exposure.
For instance, a graph from the EPA shows the prevalence of lead-based paint in homes correlating with the year of construction: 87% of homes built before 1940, 69% of homes built between 1940 and 1959, and 24% of homes built from 1960-1977 contain lead-based paint.
The risks of lead exposure can include lead poisoning, which is particularly hazardous to children's health and can also adversely affect unborn children during pregnancy. Preventative measures such as frequent cleaning, monitoring, and using certified professionals for renovations can significantly reduce the dangers of lead exposure in these homes.