On June 6, 2004, IKE released a toolkit for community-based programs seeking to assess the safety of the information provided at their local hardware store. The toolkit was based on a project IKE conducted from September 2003 to March 2004.
IKE staff, posing as customers, made 45 visits to 39 retail hardware stores serving Indianapolis. IKE’s goal was to assess how “kid friendly” the stores were based on the advice provided about lead safety and pesticides and the products sold.
Based on IKE’s criteria and analysis of seven key indicators, the stores had an overall average score of 29%. The five major chains serving Indianapolis had an overall score as follows:
- Lowes 39%
- Home Depot 39%
- Ace 26%
- Menards 22%
- Do-It-Best 17%
The results reflected a broad lack of basic knowledge on the part of store clerks and a careless disregard for the health and safety of the store’s customers – whether a contractor or a do-it-yourselfer. 80 percent of the paint department clerks recommended dry sanding to remove paint on a door to a kids’ room in a house built in the 1920s. Anyone following the advice would likely create lead dust that could poison a child. Children who are lead poisoned can be permanently brain-damaged possibly leading to learning disorders, lower IQ levels, attention deficit disorders, and violent behavior. Adults doing the work would be at serious risk of lead poisoning as well. A contractor following the advice would commit a Class D felony in Indiana.
Even when asked explicitly whether lead-based paint might be a problem, 53 percent of the clerks continued to give dangerous advice. Overall, they were so poorly trained that some appeared to be reading the lead hazard warning information and guidance for the first time after being prompted by questions from IKE staff. Many advised IKE to ignore the paint can’s lead warning label. Only one clerk seemed to understand the danger posed by lead dust.
Even if a customer knew about lead hazards and was seeking more information or supplies to manage the lead-based paint safely, they would have little luck. No store had basic reference information on lead-safe painting, maintenance or renovation practices on hand. While the larger stores stocked most of the relevant supplies, the supplies were difficult to find and selection poor.
The problem was not limited to the paint department. Customers seeking a pesticide to kill cockroaches would fare little better. Ninety-five percent of the pesticide department clerks violated Indiana law when they helped IKE select a pesticide to kill cockroaches. Seventy-four percent of the time the clerks advised the customer to use toxic sprays and foggers to kill cockroaches. While legal to use, these products are less effective and more dangerous to kids than boric acid, enclosed baits or gels. In some cases, the clerks advised using a pesticide in violation of federal pesticide laws.
While the potential health effects of a pesticide depend on the type of pesticide and the nature of the exposure, the dangers cannot – and must not – be ignored especially with pesticides that are put into the air.
Special thanks to The Boren Foundation of Upland, Indiana and Jack and Karen Kay Leonard of Indianapolis, Indiana for making this report possible.
