Lead-Free Families program in Lancaster

Investing in our children. Investing in our community.

Making Lancaster County a healthier place for all

Lancaster County has one of the highest rates of elevated blood lead levels in Pennsylvania, making lead exposure and poisoning a significant health issue for children in our communities. That’s why Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health has launched Lead-Free Families — a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive program aimed at creating a strong pathway to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Lancaster County.

It is estimated that some 91,000 homes in Lancaster County have lead hazards, often from lead-based paint. Lead-Free Families has set a goal of identifying and remediating lead hazards in at least 2,800 Lancaster County homes over the next 10 years, while also providing community education and support services for families.

With a $50 million initial investment by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Lead-Free Families is the first such program in the United States to be 100-percent funded and led by a health system — part of our commitment to making our community a healthier place for all.

Our team also manages the Healthy Homes Program, a federally funded initiative that addresses many environment-related diseases and injuries in a coordinated way. The program focuses on concerns including mold, lead, allergens, asthma, carbon monoxide, home safety, pesticides, and radon.

Contact us

If you are concerned about lead exposure or home health and safety hazards, our team is here to help.

Phone: 717-544-5323

Email: Info@leadfreefamilies.org

What does Lead-Free Families do?

The Lead-Free Families program offers the following services across Lancaster County*:

  • Lead screening
  • In-home lead testing and remediation
  • Healthcare and social service support
  • Community education and outreach
  • Public policy advocacy and education

*In the City of Lancaster, Lead-Free Families works collaboratively with the Lead-Safe Lancaster program to identify and remediate lead hazards in Lancaster City homes and provide support services and education.

Why focus on home-based lead hazards?

We are focused on removing lead hazards from homes, because the home is by far the place where most lead exposures occur. In addition, many of these homes have young children (age six and younger) or pregnant women living in them — and they are at the greatest risk of lead poisoning.

Lead can be in paint, plumbing and soil. But most lead exposure comes from peeling and chipping paint. Lead is most commonly found in homes built before 1978, when the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint.

Lancaster County has a large number of homes built before 1978, and it is estimated that 45 percent of households have a child under the age of six or a pregnant woman living there. This makes our community’s risks much greater.

How do I know if I am eligible for this program?

To be eligible for the Lead-Free Families program, the following criteria must be met:

  • Home must have been built before 1978
  • Home must be within Lancaster County
  • At least one child under the age of 6 must live in home or visit; or a pregnant woman living in home

Additionally, a family's household income must be no more than 400% of the current Federal Poverty Level (2025 numbers):

 

Total household size Income limit
1 Person $62,600
2 People $84,600
3 People $106,600
4 People $128,600
5 People $150,600
6 People $172,600
7 People $194,600
8 People $216,600

Apply today

To find out if your family is being exposed to lead in your home, apply to the Lead-Free Families program by filling out our application below.

Once eligibility has been established, Lead-Free Families will conduct a lead risk assessment at the home. To qualify for remediation, the risk assessment must find that the home contains lead-based paint hazards.

 

About lead poisoning

Read our FAQs below to learn more about the risks and effects of lead poisoning.

Giving opportunities for Lead-Free Families

Lead-Free Families is made possible by an initial $50 million commitment by the Board of Trustees of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. This is an historic investment in the health of Lancaster County and is expected to help remove lead hazards from at least 2,800 homes over 10 years. But with your help, we can do even more. If you are interested in supporting Lead-Free Families through a financial contribution, please visit the Lancaster General Health Foundation website or call  717-544-1374.
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