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QUINCY, ILL. -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is making people aware of the dangers of lead in paint.

Eleven meetings will be held around the state to inform the public about the Environmental Protection Agency's lead law.

If your house was built before 1978, the paint in your house most likely has lead in it.

After 1978, lead was taken out of paint.

The EPA requires the facilities built before that date to be certified.

You can remove the paint yourself with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air vacuum, but there are certain things to remember.

Mike Entrup says, "There are special masks you're supposed to use, and you should be enclosed and encapsulate your area that you're working in so you can control the dust. We're supposed to put it in plastic bags, seal it up tight, and then just put it in the dumpster. It can go to a regular landfill."

If you're interested in more information, the closest informational meeting is in Springfield, Ill.

It will be held Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. until noon.

It's at the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Gate #11.