How Do You Know if You Have Lead Paint

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Lead paint was commonly used in residential buildings in the early on and mid 1900s. Pb is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious medical issues to those exposed to it. Though the use of lead paint was banned in many cities in the U.S., it can withal be institute in older homes and buildings. To place atomic number 82 paint, look at the historic period, status, and history of the pigment. Then, become the paint tested to ostend it is pb-based. You can then deal with the pb paint and then it is not a hazard in your living infinite.

1. i

   Determine if the pigment is from 1970 or earlier. Almost homes built before 1970 often accept lead-based paint on the walls, doorways, stairwells, and baseboards.^[i] If your dwelling is old and you know it was built in the early on or mid 1900s, it may have lead-based paint.^[2]

   • Oft, celebrated buildings or homes that are old and have non been renovated contain lead-based paint.

2. 2

   Talk to the possessor of the domicile, or the previous owners. If yous do non own the home and are a renter, talk to your landlord about the age of the dwelling. Enquire them if they know if there is lead-based pigment in the home. If you ain the home, contact the previous owners to detect out if they know if there is lead-based paint in the house.

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3. 3

   Check if the paint is deteriorating. Examine the paint in the home to determine if it is peeling, flaking off, or deteriorating in any way. If it is lead-based, this may exist cause for alarm. Pb-based paint that is deteriorating can pose a health adventure, equally it will release pb dust equally it breaks down.^[3]

   • Pay actress attending to paint that is on doorways or stairwells. These areas usually get more clothing and tear, causing the paint to crack, flake, and peel.
   • If y'all observe the paint is deteriorating and suspect it may exist pb-based, test the paint and so you can accost the issue immediately.

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1. one

   Practise a home exam of the paint. You can buy a abode testing kit for pb-based pigment at your local hardware shop or online. The kit will crave y'all to test a sample of the paint for any lead. These kits are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.^[4]

   • Go along in mind home examination kits for lead paint are not ever reliable. They volition not be as authentic equally a professional person examination on the paint.^[v]

2. two

   Get a professional test done on the paint. Contact your landlord if yous are a renter and so they can arrange a professional person exam on the pigment in your habitation. You can as well contact your local department of wellness or a lead testing service in your area. Professional, qualified individuals can and so test the paint in your domicile for a small fee.^[six]

3. three

   Determine if the lead paint is chancy. The professional test should tell y'all if there is lead pigment in your home and if so, if it is hazardous to your wellness.^[7] Pb paint that is in expert condition, where it is not peeling, chipping, or flaking, is not considered a health hazard.^[8]

   • If in that location is atomic number 82 pigment in your habitation that is in good condition, you lot should still keep an eye on it to make certain it does not go damaged or start to deteriorate.

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1. 1

   Paint over it if it's not hazardous. Lead pigment that is in adept condition can be painted over to seal information technology and prevent any lead fumes from entering the home. You tin use water-based paints over the lead paints or encapsulants, which seal the lead paint and then it won't chip. Doing this will ensure the lead pigment is not a hazard.^[ix]

2. 2

   Comprehend the pb paint with drywall. You can as well comprehend the lead paint with a new surface, such equally drywall. This will prevent the pb paint from getting damaged, exposing everyone in the dwelling house to lead.^[10]

3. three

   Remove and replace the lead paint. Removing lead paint can be difficult, equally yous do non want to sand, power wash, or scrape off the paint without safety goggles, gloves, and a respirator. Breathing in pb dust can exist toxic. Consider hiring a professional person to remove the atomic number 82 pigment and replace it with h2o based paint and so yous practice not put yourself or others at take a chance.^[xi]

   • Lead paint on doorways, windowsills, and stairwells can be replaced by removing the actual materials and putting in new materials.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How tin can you tell if it'due south lead pigment?

  

  Gregory Cade is an Environmental and Occupational Law Attorney. With over 25 years of experience, he has extensive knowledge in injuries resulting from toxic substance exposure similar pesticides. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including The American Bar Association, The National Association of Ecology Professionals, and The American Clan for Justice. Gregory graduated with a BS in Natural Science and Mathematics with an emphasis in Chemical science and Biology and an MPH in Occupational Health, Rubber, and Industrial Hygiene from The Academy of Alabama at Birmingham. He also holds a JD from Miles School of Police force.

  

  Environmental & Occupational Police force Attorney

  Skilful Answer

  The safest manner to evaluate the status of your pigment is to arrange for a full inspection of all painted surfaces or a risk assessment indicating how to mend the hazardous areas.

• Question

  How tin you tell if sometime paint contains lead?

  

  Gregory Cade is an Ecology and Occupational Law Attorney. With over 25 years of experience, he has all-encompassing knowledge in injuries resulting from toxic substance exposure like pesticides. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including The American Bar Association, The National Association of Ecology Professionals, and The American Association for Justice. Gregory graduated with a BS in Natural Scientific discipline and Mathematics with an accent in Chemistry and Biology and an MPH in Occupational Wellness, Safety, and Industrial Hygiene from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He likewise holds a JD from Miles School of Constabulary.

  

  Ecology & Occupational Police Attorney

  Practiced Answer

  Lead-based pigment was usually used before the 1980s, and its presence in households poses a significant wellness threat when it is in a broken, cracked state. The virtually accessible way to determine if the paint on your walls contains lead is to hire a certified pb-based plant inspector to bear an assessment of the building.

• Question

  I have been sleeping in a pb-exposed room for 3 years, am I okay?

  

  The only mode to be sure is to have a claret examination, and discuss whatsoever symptoms with your physician.

• Question

  Is it amend to merely remove the 118 year old molding that most likely has lead in information technology, then sand it, by a licensed professional person?

  

  Mputerio

  Community Answer

  It depends how much you like the molding. If it's something special/has historical value, then information technology may be worth the cost of having a atomic number 82-certified contractor re-finish information technology. This tin can get expensive depending how much molding there is due to the extra work due to lead containment measures. If it'south nothing special and you'd be but every bit happy with whatever is currently being sold at Home Depot or wherever, it will probably cost less to carefully remove information technology and supplant it with new molding. You probably notwithstanding want to wear a respirator and put downward plastic all effectually the work expanse before taking it down because there is a adept chance yous'll still create some lead dust, but much less than sanding information technology.

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Article Summary X

To place lead pigment, talk to your landlord or the previous owner to find out if your habitation was congenital before 1970 when lead paint was even so commonly used. You can easily make sure by purchasing a home testing kit from your local hardware store or online and testing a sample of the paint. Alternatively, contact your local department of health or a lead testing service to take your paint professionally tested. For any lead pigment that's peeling or flaking, you'll demand to get rid of it or hire a professional person to do it for you, since breathing in the particles tin be toxic. If y'all decide to remove the paint yourself, make sure you wear condom goggles, gloves, and a respirator to protect yourself. For more than tips, including how to cover lead paint with drywall, read on!

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