by Kim Dieter

Created on: April 11, 2010   Last Updated: April 13, 2010

Prior to 1978, oil based exterior or interior house paint may have contained significant levels of lead.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, two-thirds of all houses built prior to 1940 and one-half of the houses built between 1940 and 1960 contain lead based paint.  Lead poisoning can lead to irreversible brain damage in children under seven and numerous health problems for adults.  It is important to know if the paint in an older house contains lead.  There are several methods to test for lead in paint.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends laboratory testing as the most accurate method of detecting lead in house paint.  The names of certified labs in the area can be obtained from the local health department. 

The testing lab should provide sample containers and a recommendation for the size of the sample.  A sharp knife is used to cut a sample of the appropriate size.  A clean putty knife is used to lift all paint layers but not the underlying wood or other material.  The bagged and labeled sample is sent to the lab for testing.  The area where the sample was removed should be wiped with a wet paper towel and the towel discarded.

A second testing method is by x-ray fluorescence.  A professional who has passed the necessary training courses uses the equipment to detect paint with lead. 

The third method is to purchase a home test kit from a hardware or home supply store.  Usually drops of the test solution are placed on the paint chips for testing.  However, this may be the least accurate method of determining the lead content of paint.

The most common exposure to lead paint is by ingesting or inhaling lead dust.  Peeling paint, walking on paint chips or opening and closing doors or windows with lead paint may create this dust. Sometimes house renovation projects increase the level of lead dust.  Children may also eat paint chips. 

If lead based paint is found in the home, there are several solutions.  Items such as doors and windows can be replaced.  The painted area can be covered with a sealant or gypsum wallboard.  Or professionals can remove the lead based paint. 

In 1978, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reduced the maximum amount of lead in paint to .06%, a trace amount.  So newer homes will probably not contain lead based paint.

Lab testing, x-ray fluorescence or a home test kit may be used to determine if lead based paint is present in an older home.  However, because lead poisoning is such a health danger, lab testing may be the wisest choice.

Reference:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5054.html

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