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Photo courtesy John Winters

Thanks to The Boren Foundation, and Jack and Karen Kay Leonard for making this website possible. 

Inept But At Your Service: Can You Trust Your Local Hardware Store?

Main Report

Quality of Advice Regarding Environmental Hazards

by Five Primary Hardware Store Chains Serving Indianapolis 

Store

Totals

Ace

Do-It-Best

Menards

Lowes

Home Depot

Number of Stores in Central Indiana    

48

12

11

8

10

7

Number of Stores in Indianapolis

30

10

6[1]

4

6

4

Number Visited At Least Once

39

10

6

8

9

6

Number in Areas With Older Housing

10

7

2

0

1

0

Lead-Based Paint and Lead Hazards

Score

 

 

 

 

 

EPA Protect Your Family Pamphlet Available

46%

3 of 10

0 of 6

1 of 8

9 of 9

5 of 6

LeadCheck® Swabs or Equivalent Available

44%

2 of 10

0 of 6

5 of 8

7 of 9

3 of 6

Gave Acceptable[2] Initial Advice

20%

2 of 8[3]

1 of 5

3 of 11

1 of 12

2 of 9[4]

Gave Acceptable Advice When Asked About Lead

47%

4 of 6

1 of 4

3 of 8[5]

5 of 9

2 of 5

Pesticide Advice

Score

 

 

 

 

 

Warning Signs Posted[6]

10%

0 of 10

0 of 6

0 of 8

2 of 9

2 of 6

Legally Gave Selection Advice[7]

5%

0 of 7

0 of 4

0 of 9

1 of 9[8]

1 of 8[9]

Gave Good Advice Safest for Kids[10]

26%

3 of 7

3 of 4

1 of 9

0 of 8[11]

2 of 7


[1] Three of the “Do It Best” stores on the website could not be found and one was not retail.

[2] Acceptable advice means advice that would not result in a contractor violating Indiana law that prohibits dry sanding, dry scraping, or burning of paint in a home built before 1960.  See IC 13-17-14 and 326 IAC 23-5-1.  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also essentially prohibits these practices on projects it funds.  See 24 CFR 35.140.  This is a very low threshold for acceptability that falls far short of lead-safe work practices.  Following acceptable advice can still result in a lead poisoned child and adult.

[3] One clerk gave excellent advice but the store did not have the EPA pamphlet or LeadCheck swabs.

[4] One clerk gave excellent advice.

[5] One clerk advised to used a chemical stripper but switched to sandpaper when asked about lead.

[6] Required to be posted if pesticide selection and use advice is given.  Indiana State Chemist has provided specific language in guidance.  See 357 IAC 1-9.

[7] Warning sign must be posted if pesticide selection and use advice is given.  See 357 IAC 1-9.

[8] One clerk advised that it was illegal for him to give advice and he did not give advice.

[9] One clerk advised that it was illegal for him to give advice and he did not give advice.

[10] "Good advice safest for kids" means advice that recommends use of gel and enclosed baits or acknowledges limitations of sprays or foggers.

[11] Pesticide warning sign posted but advised spraying and fogging as best option.