Q: When Should I Test My Home For Lead?

A: The reasons why you should test your home for lead are numerous, especially if it was built before 1978:

•  You have (or will have) children age six and younger in the home

•  You are renting or buying a new home

•  You are about to remodel, renovate, or repaint your home

Q: Why Is Testing Recommended For Houses Built Before 1978?

A: In 1978 a limit was placed on the amount of lead in paint sold for residential use, following federal regulations. It is because of this, that paint containing lead is found in most homes built before 1978. Chances of encountering lead-based paint are dangerously high in older homes.

Q: Who Can Do Lead Testing For Me?

A: We recommended that testing be performed only by a certified risk assessor or certified inspector.

Q: Could I Remove Lead-Based Paint Hazards Myself, In My Own Home?

A: You may decide to remove lead-based paint hazards in your own home, but it is not recommended that you do the work yourself. Due to the toxicity of Led-Based Paint, abatement activities must be done by a certified lead-based paint contractor.

Q: Are All Painted Surfaces In The Home Tested?

A: Each different type of painted surface in the home will be tested, but it is not necessary to test each individual surfaces are tested. For example, a room may have three windows, all painted the same color and all made out of wood. Only one window may be tested, because they appear to be the same.

Q: How Are Painted Surfaces Tested?

A: Currently, only two testing methods are recognized by EPA for testing Led-Based Paint:

•  X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer

•  Paint chips sampling, followed by analysis by an accredited testing facility/laboratory

Q: What Do The Results Of Paint Testing Mean?

A: XRF analyzer measurements determine whether lead is present in your paint or not

Paint is classified as lead-based when there is 1.0 mg/cm2 (milligram of lead per square centimeter of painted surface)

The laboratory report is written in terms of the amount, or weight of lead per weight of paint chips . The federal definition of lead-based paint is 0.5% lead or 5,000 milligram of lead per kilogram of paint chips

Q: How Are Dust Samples Collected And Analyzed?

A: The simplest method of collecting dust is a surface wipe sample in an area of one square foot is sampled. To assure collection of all dust particles, the area is wiped several times in different directions. After collection, the dust sample is contained and sealed, then sent to a laboratory for assessment.

Q: Where Can I Get More Information/Publications About Lead-Based Paint?

A: For more information on the abatement and containment, and the dangers of lead-based paint, please contact the National Lead Information Center.