People can get lead in their body by ingesting or breathing dust from lead paint, ingesting lead chips, and drinking tap water that has lead in it, the department said.
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"Instances of lead poisoning in children throughout Rhode Island are absolutely preventable and in these cases, are the consequence of landlords violating clear public safety laws," Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement.
The owners of four Rhode Island properties that were contaminated with lead agreed to pay fines and fix the problems. Three of the properties are located in Providence, and the other property is in Burrillville.
The landlords refused to follow the law despite multiple notifications from the Department of Health and opportunities for low-cost abatement and remediation, he said.
Since the fall of 2021, the attorney general has filed 18 lawsuits against landlords who have failed to fully address lead violations on their properties.