Find Out if Your Property Contains Lead
Where is Lead Found?
1. Paint
Many homes built prior to 1978 contain lead. Any painted surface in these older homes may contain lead. This includes walls, floors, doors, stairs, and other painted surfaces. It can be on plaster, drywall, wood, metal, and concrete.
Lead was added to paint for many reasons. It was used for color and durability. It was used to stand up to wear and tear and weather conditions. It was added to help paint dry faster.
Lead-based paint is most likely underneath layers of non-lead-based paint. This does not make it safe. It’s a myth to believe you can tell lead paint by looking at it. The only way to know if lead exists in paint is to have it tested. Assume painted surfaces contain lead until testing proves otherwise.
2. Soil
Defective paint contaminates the soil. Paint that is peeling, chipping, or flaking can seep into the soil.
High levels of lead were added to fuel before 1986. As a result, leaded gasoline polluted the air and soil. The Environmental Protection Agency set a new standard in 1986 that significantly reduced the pollution.
Soil and water pollution also comes from industries. Industries producing batteries, ceramics, bullets, and plastics release soil contaminants. These contaminants are harmful to families that live near these businesses.
3. Household Dust
Household lead dust contaminates any surface it lands on. Defective paint causes lead dust. Paint becomes defective once it starts to peel, chip, or flake. Defective paint is hazardous to young children because they tend to put their hands in their mouths. They can become lead poisoned if they ingest lead dust. Most childhood lead-poisoning occurs from lead dust. External factors from certain hobbies and occupations can also bring lead into the home.
4. Water
On occasion tap water contains lead. Lead enters the water likely due to pipes with lead solder or from the corrosion of certain plumbing materials. Because of the Safe Drinking Water Act, it is illegal to use lead in household plumbing. As a result, lead pipes are most common in homes built before 1986.
What Are My Testing Options?
1. Lead Paint Inspection
The inspector tests for lead in paint by using an XRF or taking paint chip samples. An XRF displays the results from the test immediately. Paint chips must be sent to an accredited lab and analyzed.
The inspector tests each room that contains any paint. Painted exterior surfaces are tested too. Walls, ceilings, doors, windows, trims, stairs, soffits, fascia boards are some of the surfaces that are tested. The inspector provides a report of everything that was tested. If any lead-based paint is found, the report includes where it was found. Only an accredited abatement contractor should work with lead-based paint if it exists in the home.
2. Lead Dust Inspection
Dust wipes are used for this test. The inspector will take dust wipe samples from floors and/or window sills. Window well samples are also taken in certain circumstances. The samples are sent and analyzed by an accredited lab. All paint must be intact prior to this type of inspection. Since defective paint is considered a hazard, it should be corrected first before a lead dust inspection. If elevated levels of dust are found, the room that failed needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Dust wipes should not be used to test for lead paint.
3. Soil Sampling
The inspector takes samples from every side of the house. The samples are taken from the dripline and child play areas. The samples are sent to an accredited lab to be analyzed. The highest levels of lead are usually close to the surface. Soil sampling analysis indicates how much lead is in the upper one-half inch of soil. If elevated levels of lead are found in the soil, adding sod or mulch are temporary solutions. Putting down pavement or concrete or removing the top 4 to 6 inches are permanent solutions. Only accredited contractors should perform permanent solutions.
4. Water Sampling
The inspector will take cold water samples from taps in the kitchen and bathrooms. The water needs to sit between 8 to 18 hours. Do not flush toilets or turn on any faucets before the sampling collection. Samples are sent and analyzed by an accredited lab. The early morning is the best time for this type of test.
5. Risk Assessment
A risk assessor looks for lead hazards and provides different ways on how to control the hazard. The risk assessor will do a combination of a lead paint inspection, lead dust inspection, and soil sampling. The risk assessor makes recommendations for elimination of lead hazards and provides costs for each solution. Risk assessments typically cost more.
6. DIY Kit
Lead testing kits can by bought and used by anyone. Some contractors use these test kits prior to doing work. The kit provides an applicator that allows you to rub painted surfaces. If the surface changes color, then lead is present in the paint. These kits are not always reliable which is why accredited lead inspectors do not use them.
Who Should I Hire to Test for Lead?
Verify the inspector has the right accreditations, certifications, or licenses to perform the test you want. DC, MD, and VA use different names to refer to certain inspectors. View the table below to know who you should hire for each testing service based on your location.
District Columbia
| Inspector | |||
| Test | RA | I | DST |
| Paint | X | X | - |
| Dust | X | X | X |
| Soil | X | X | - |
| Water | X | X | - |
| Risk Assessment | X | - | - |
(I) Inspector
(DST) Dust Sampling Technician
Maryland
| Inspector | |||
| Test | RA | IT | VI |
| Paint | X | X | - |
| Dust | X | - | X |
| Soil | X | X | - |
| Water | X | X | - |
| Risk Assessment | X | - | - |
(IT) Inspector Technician
(VI) Visual Inspector
Virginia
| Inspector | ||
| Test | RA | LI |
| Paint | X | X |
| Dust | X | X |
| Soil | X | X |
| Water | X | X |
| Risk Assessment | X | - |
(LI) Lead Inspector