Advance Inspection: Lead Paint Inspector 507-721-0922
How does Lead Affect Me?
Lead is dangerous to many sensitive populations, including (most commonly) young children, the elderly, chronically ill adults, and adults whose occupations risk lead exposure. The most common exposure vectors of lead are dust, soil and water. But in America, the vast majority of lead poisoning in children comes from old paint. Lead was used as an additive to make paints shiny and more durable, and brighter in color.
If a structure was built prior to 1978, when lead containing paint was outlawed in the United States, there could be a possibility it has lead-based paint on site. Per the most recent American Healthy Homes Survey (AHHS), one in seven homes in America contains exposed lead paint, with commercial structures likely harboring similar numbers. Therefore, a necessary component of any due diligence transaction for pre-1978 buildings is a lead-based paint inspection by a knowledgeable, certified environmental inspector.
When Do you Need Lead Testing?
Lead-based paint (LBP) inspection and testing is very commonly required as part of due diligence for multifamily and commercial real estate transactions, as well as prior to demolition or renovation of buildings, particularly buildings constructed prior to 1978, because they are at a much higher risk of containing lead-based paint.
LBP inspection at these facilities is prudent especially when peeling or damaged paint is identified, or when these facilities are occupied by children, who are most susceptible to lead poisoning by ingestion of paint chips or dust or in extremely rare cases, ingestion of water contaminated with lead.
What Type of Inspection and Testing are Done?
Lead-based paint analysis inspections are possible utilizing several different devices and procedures, each of which has specific benefits for the client. Hand-held XRF testing devices eliminate the need for laboratory analysis, provides direct reading results on site, and avoid the potential generation of leaded dust due to disruptive sampling. Paint chip testing gives definitive results acceptable to OSHA and allows for confirmation of non-lead-based paint XRF readings. Wipe testing is available to test for potential lead dust. This is typically required on HUD inspections of buildings constructed prior to 1960.
If your current home or the home you are looking to buy was built before 1978 and/or are showing signs of lead paint, please give us a call today so we can provide you your free consultation and schedule your lead paint inspection!