05/30/2026
Cleveland is generally considered one of the worst cities in the United States for childhood lead poisoning, although there is no single official national ranking published every year.
Recent studies and public health reports consistently place Cleveland among the highest-risk cities in the country:
* A 2025 analysis of major U.S. cities found that elevated blood lead levels were especially high in Cleveland, along with Baltimore, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia.
* Local reporting has noted that Cleveland “ranks among the worst in the nation for lead poisoning,” with roughly 1,300–1,500 children testing positive for elevated blood lead levels annually.
* Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University have stated that Cleveland has “one of the highest percentages of children with elevated lead levels in the United States,” with some neighborhoods seeing rates above 20%.
* Reports from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland have found that Cuyahoga County had the highest percentage of tested children with elevated blood-lead levels among Ohio counties.
The main reason is Cleveland’s housing stock: about 90% of homes were built before 1978, when lead-based residential paint was banned in the U.S. Deteriorating lead paint—especially around windows, doors, porches, and dust—is the primary source of exposure for children.
For someone involved in rental housing in Cleveland, the lead-safe certification requirements exist because the city continues to face one of the nation’s most severe lead poisoning problems.
We can help you navigate the lead safe certification. Call 216-835-8633 or visit our website at
Keep your Cleveland rental compliant with certified assessment, clearance, and abatement services. Local and licensed, we ensure a fast turnaround and smooth process.
