You don’t have to live in a deteriorating tenement house to have valid lead-paint concerns. The truth is, lead was still used as a paint ingredient up until the mid-1970s. Fortunately, though, if the paint is intact and not deteriorating, it may not be hazardous. However, if it’s peeling, or if you plan to scrape or sand it, you should first make sure your paint is lead-free before proceeding with remedial measures.
We do not strictly control Google ad content. If you believe any Google ad is inappropriate, please email us directly here.
Lead check swabs can be used for a quick and simple lead test, and you can use them easily yourself. These are sold in many hardware and building centers. The EPA, however, recommends hiring a professional for testing and/or risk assessment. If the lead test is positive, consider contacting your local board of health for suggestions and regulations on how to proceed. Never sand or scrape lead-containing paint yourself. Lead particles that are ingested or inhaled can cause mental retardation in children and serious illness in adults.
For additional information on lead, call the EPA’s National Lead Information Center at 1(800) 424-LEAD [5323].
From Creating a Healthy Household: The Ultimate Guide For Healthier, Safer, Less-Toxic Living. © 2000 by Lynn Marie Bower.
HHI Error Correction Policy
HHI is committed to accuracy of content and correcting information that is incomplete or inaccurate. With our broad scope of coverage of healthful indoor environments, and desire to rapidly publish info to benefit the community, mistakes are inevitable. HHI has established an error correction policy to welcome corrections or enhancements to our information. Please help us improve the quality of our content by contacting allen@healthyhouseinstitute.com with corrections or suggestions for improvement. Each contact will receive a respectful reply.
The Healthy House Institute (HHI), a for-profit educational LLC, provides the information on HealthyHouseInstitute.com as a free service to the public. The intent is to disseminate accurate, verified and science-based information on creating healthy home environments.
While an effort is made to ensure the quality of the content and credibility of sources listed on this site, HHI provides no warranty - expressed or implied - and assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed on or in conjunction with the site. The views and opinions of the authors or originators expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of HHI: its principals, executives, Board members, advisors or affiliates.
