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Testing for Lead Paint

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.

 

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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. 

 

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.

Testing for Lead Paint:  Created on February 7th, 2007.  Last Modified on June 28th, 2009

 

About Lynn Marie Bower

John and Lynn Bower founded The Healthy House Institute (HHI) in 1992. No longer associated with HHI, they are both now pursuing careers in the arts.

 

 

Information provided by The Healthy House Institute is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient/physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

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