Thousands of Maryland homes certified as lead-free may not be

Washington

THOUSANDS of homes in Maryland that were certified as lead-free could actually be contaminated with the toxic substance, according to state officials.

The state Department of the Environment is in the process of contacting about 2,000 homeowners to retest their properties and to inform residents of the danger that lead-paint exposure can pose to young children.

The state, in conjunction with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), launched an investigation earlier this year after the work of an inspector was called into question.

At the time, …