Homeowner’s Guide to Lead Paint Levels
When buying or remodeling a home, one of the biggest concerns of homeowners is lead paint. But how do you know if your home is at risk of having lead paint, how do you test for it, and what do those test results mean?
What houses are most at risk?
Lead paint was banned in the United States in 1978. But this doesn’t mean that all homes built before 1978 have lead, or that all homes built after 1978 are lead-free.
Most homes built during or before the 1960s heavily relied on lead paint. But some of these homes have been remodeled since they have been built so they no longer contain lead paint.
For houses built after 1978, they may still contain lead paint. Just because the paint was no longer in production does not mean it was not still present in the United States. Many builders and remodelers hold onto older paint for years before using it. So, it’s possible someone could have bought lead paint in 1977, then not use it for many years later.
This means the only way to know for sure if your home contains lead paint is to test.
How to Test for lead paint
There are two primary ways to test lead paint in your home. DIY Lead Swabs and Laboratory Testing.
DIY Lead Swabs
DIY Lead Test Swabs are going to be the fastest, most affordable way to test Lead Paint in your home. These swabs include 10 tests per kit and give you results in just minutes. Simply wet the tip of the swab and rub it on the paint in question for 30 seconds. If the color of the swab changes to purple, then lead is present. They can detect lead up to 5 ppm.
Laboratory Lead Paint Testing
The most accurate way to test for lead is to use a laboratory lead test. This involves shipping a sample to a laboratory where they can give you exact concentrations of lead. This gives you the highest level of certainty and is recommended before you spend thousands on sealing lead paint or expensive removal. It will also provide you with documentation that you may need to dispose of hazardous waste or to show contractors.
The Safe Home Lead “Combo” Test Kit
The Safe Home Lead Combo Test Kit includes 10 DIY Lead Test Swabs, as well as everything you need to submit an optional laboratory sample. This gives you the flexibility to just use the DIY Testing, but then do confirmation testing at our laboratory if you end up with a positive swab.
Explaining Levels of Lead
There are three categories of paint when it comes to lead concentration. These are Lead-Free, Lead Containing, and Lead Based. Each of these have their own definitions and concerns for your home.
Lead Free Paint
Lead-Free Paint is defined as any paint that has under 90ppm of Lead.
While this means that there may be some lead in Lead-Free Paint, it means that the lead is just due to the manufacturing process and not actually added as an ingredient in the paint. There are no health concerns when it comes to Lead Free Paint.
Lead Containing Paint
Lead Containing Paint is defined as any paint that is 90 ppm – 4,999 ppm of Lead.
These paints are occasionally used today for some specific industrial uses but are banned for residential use. This will be most common in homes built before 1980. Even though the concentrations are lower, the health concerns are largely the same as Lead Based Paints since there is no “safe” level of lead for consumption.
Lead Based Paint
Lead Based is any paint above 5000 ppm of Lead.
These paints have been banned since 1978 except for specific industrial uses. Because Lead Based has the highest concentration of Lead, it carries the highest health risk. It is important to not inhale dust or let children consume chips from Lead Based Paint.
What Level of Lead is Dangerous?
Lead paint is concerning, but it isn’t dangerous unless it is inhaled or ingested. There is no safe level of lead exposure, so risk increases if children, pets, or anyone in the home may consume paint chips or inhale dust.
Simply having lead paint present isn’t inherently dangerous. However, renovation or remodeling can release hazardous lead dust. In these cases, proper precautions, such as containment and HEPA filtration, are essential. Do not work with Lead Paint if you are not educated on how to prevent this risk.
If you know your home contains lead paint and plan to renovate, you should inform your contractor so they can plan and quote the work safely.
Negative Health Effects of Lead Consumption
Lead consumption or inhalation is dangerous for children and adults and has a variety of health effects. As stated above, there is no safe level of Lead so even a small amount of exposure can present health problems. If you are concerned that Lead is causing health issues then you should speak with a doctor as well as considering Lead Paint and Lead in Water Testing.
Negative Health Effects on Children
Lead Consumption has been shown to cause neurological damage to children, especially under the age of 6. This can happen in several ways including:
- Lower IQ
- Attention Disorders
- Learning Disabilities
- Antisocial Behavior
- Slowed Physical Growth
Negative Health Effects in Adults
Lead Consumption in Adults can cause several health effects. Adults are less sensitive than children, but the chronic build-up overtime can cause:
- Hypertension
- Kidney Damage
- Reproductive Issues
- Cognitive Issues
- Joint Problems
Next Steps If Your Home Has Lead Paint
If your home has Lead Paint, there are several steps you can take.
Homes without children or pets and with no upcoming renovation work may not require immediate action. This will be important to disclose to any future contractors or any future real estate transactions.
For homeowners concerned about potential exposure, encapsulation is a common and effective option. It’s a process that seals the lead paint under a special coating to prevent chips and dust from escaping.
When planning renovations, you will need to find a contractor that has the knowledge and tools needed to safely deal with Lead Paint and Dust. This is important to prevent lead containing dust from being spread in your home.
If you tested with DIY Swabs and are still unsure about your paints lead level, you can follow up with Laboratory Testing to confirm the results.
FAQ About Lead Paint Testing
How long does lead paint testing take?
DIY lead swabs provide results within minutes. Laboratory testing typically takes several business days after the sample arrives at the lab, depending on the testing provider.
How can I tell if my home has lead paint?
The only way to know for certain if your home contains lead paint is to test it. Homes built before 1978 are at higher risk, but even newer homes may contain lead paint if older paint was used during construction or remodeling.
How accurate are DIY lead paint test swabs?
DIY lead test swabs are useful for quick screening and can detect lead in minutes. However, they do not provide exact concentration, so laboratory testing is recommended to confirm results before making major decisions like removal or encapsulation.