Lead-based paints were widely used for both exterior and interior applications until 1978, when the federal government banned the use of this toxic material in residential housing. Consequently, most historic homes in the United States contain some lead-based paint, often located beneath recent layers of non-lead-based paint.

Due to the hazard of lead poisoning from ingesting lead it is important to carefully plan and implement lead-hazard control measures that seek to preserve historically significance materials and features while protecting both the environment and human health and safety.

The National Park Service provides such information in Preservation Brief 37: Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing.