Lead-Based Paint Inspection Services
Are you doing any renovations or repairs on housing or child-occupied facilities that were built prior to 1978? If you answered yes, Summit Asbestos Testing can help.
Summit Asbestos Testing is proud to be certified to conduct lead-based paint surveys and dust clearance testing in Colorado. We will conduct a surface by surface investigation for lead-based paint by methodically collecting paint chip samples for laboratory analysis, as required by the EPA. We will provide the results via an inspection report in a timely manner that fits your project timeline and at a reasonable cost.
When Should a Lead-Based Paint Inspection Be Conducted?
If a home, apartment, or child-occupied facility was built prior 1978, all surfaces affected by a renovation covered by EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) must either be tested for lead-based paint or presumed to contain lead-based paint. EPA requires testing be performed by a certified lead-based paint inspector, risk assessor, or certified renovator. However, certified renovator's are not authorized to conduct the inspections for HUD projects. The test must include all affected surfaces coated with paint, shellac, stain, varnish, coating or even paint covered by wallpaper, if it will be disturbed during the renovation or repair work. An inspection report must be completed documenting the test used, the surfaces tested, and the results. EPA does allow the option to not test, however then all affected surfaces in the renovation must be presumed to contain lead-based paint.
What Happens if Lead-Based Paint is Found?
If lead-based paint is present, or presumed to be present (in the absence of testing), then the lead safe work practices described in EPA’s Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting guidance must be used on the job. Lead safe work practices are techniques that reduce the amount of dust produced during renovation and remodel activities. When the practices are implemented correctly, they make the work area safer for workers and the home safe for residents when renovation is complete.
Professional contractors doing work for compensation (or trade) in homes or child-occupied facilities built prior to 1978 must be certified and follow certain work practices. EPA’s, Steps to Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting guidance describes those required work practices and provides additional helpful information to reduce your family's risk of lead poisoning during repair and renovation. The term renovation is described as activities done for compensation that disturb painted surfaces including most repair, remodeling and maintenance activities, such as window replacement, weatherization, opening of walls, and demolition.
Lead Facts
Lead is a naturally occurring element, but can be toxic to humans and animals. Much of our exposure comes from human activities including past use of lead-based paint in homes. Lead was added to paint for pigmentation, to increase durability, to speed up drying, and to resist moisture that causes corrosion. Because the negative health effects of ingesting lead are numerous, it was banned from household paints in 1978. The only way to know if your paint or coating contains lead is to test! The good news is that it is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, and not on a surface that is exposed to friction like a window or door.
The more technical definition of lead is: Paint, varnish, shellac, or other coating on surfaces that contain: 1.0 mg/cm² or more of lead, or 0.5% or more lead by weight.
What are the Health Effects of Lead Exposure?
Lead exposure and poisoning is not to be taken lightly. Even exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children. Exposure to high levels in rare instances can cause death. Lead is toxic to everyone; however children six years old and younger are most susceptible to the effects of lead because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults. In children, lead can cause:
•Nervous system and kidney damage
•Behavior and learning problems, including attention deficit disorder
•Lower IQ and hyperactivity
•Speech and language problems
•Hearing problems
•Anemia
•Decreased muscle and bone growth
Lead can be dangerous for adults too. In adults, lead poisoning can cause:
•Fertility problems in both men and women
•High blood pressure
•Nerve disorders
•Concentration and memory problems
•Muscle and joint pain
•Digestive problems
Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead as exposure increases their chance of illness during pregnancy, as well as harm to a fetus, including brain damage and potentially death.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself and Your Family?
The health effects from lead exposure are quite frightening; however knowledge is power. One of the most important things you can do is to have your home tested for lead by a certified lead inspector, especially if it was built before 1978, and/or if you intend on doing any remodeling projects. Research has shown that general remodeling and renovation activities are associated with an increased risk of elevated lead levels in children. Renovation, repair or painting activities can create toxic lead dust when painted surfaces are disturbed or demolished.
Steps to Lower Your Exposure:
•Maintain all painted surfaces to prevent paint from chipping
•Clean up paint chips immediately
•Clean painted areas where friction can generate dust, such as windows (frames, casings, sashes, channels and sills) and floors regularly. Wipe these areas with a damp cloth or rag rather than sweeping or vacuuming which can spread the dust
•Wash hands and children’s toys often
•Try to keep young children from chewing window sills and painted surfaces
•Use only cold water to prepare food and drinks
•Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin c
Links to Helpful Lead Resources:
EPA’s Steps to Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting
EPA's Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right
EPA and HUD's Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home
CDPHE's Lead Safety Time
Are you doing any renovations or repairs on housing or child-occupied facilities that were built prior to 1978? If you answered yes, Summit Asbestos Testing can help.
Summit Asbestos Testing is proud to be certified to conduct lead-based paint surveys and dust clearance testing in Colorado. We will conduct a surface by surface investigation for lead-based paint by methodically collecting paint chip samples for laboratory analysis, as required by the EPA. We will provide the results via an inspection report in a timely manner that fits your project timeline and at a reasonable cost.
When Should a Lead-Based Paint Inspection Be Conducted?
If a home, apartment, or child-occupied facility was built prior 1978, all surfaces affected by a renovation covered by EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) must either be tested for lead-based paint or presumed to contain lead-based paint. EPA requires testing be performed by a certified lead-based paint inspector, risk assessor, or certified renovator. However, certified renovator's are not authorized to conduct the inspections for HUD projects. The test must include all affected surfaces coated with paint, shellac, stain, varnish, coating or even paint covered by wallpaper, if it will be disturbed during the renovation or repair work. An inspection report must be completed documenting the test used, the surfaces tested, and the results. EPA does allow the option to not test, however then all affected surfaces in the renovation must be presumed to contain lead-based paint.
What Happens if Lead-Based Paint is Found?
If lead-based paint is present, or presumed to be present (in the absence of testing), then the lead safe work practices described in EPA’s Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting guidance must be used on the job. Lead safe work practices are techniques that reduce the amount of dust produced during renovation and remodel activities. When the practices are implemented correctly, they make the work area safer for workers and the home safe for residents when renovation is complete.
Professional contractors doing work for compensation (or trade) in homes or child-occupied facilities built prior to 1978 must be certified and follow certain work practices. EPA’s, Steps to Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting guidance describes those required work practices and provides additional helpful information to reduce your family's risk of lead poisoning during repair and renovation. The term renovation is described as activities done for compensation that disturb painted surfaces including most repair, remodeling and maintenance activities, such as window replacement, weatherization, opening of walls, and demolition.
Lead Facts
Lead is a naturally occurring element, but can be toxic to humans and animals. Much of our exposure comes from human activities including past use of lead-based paint in homes. Lead was added to paint for pigmentation, to increase durability, to speed up drying, and to resist moisture that causes corrosion. Because the negative health effects of ingesting lead are numerous, it was banned from household paints in 1978. The only way to know if your paint or coating contains lead is to test! The good news is that it is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, and not on a surface that is exposed to friction like a window or door.
The more technical definition of lead is: Paint, varnish, shellac, or other coating on surfaces that contain: 1.0 mg/cm² or more of lead, or 0.5% or more lead by weight.
What are the Health Effects of Lead Exposure?
Lead exposure and poisoning is not to be taken lightly. Even exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children. Exposure to high levels in rare instances can cause death. Lead is toxic to everyone; however children six years old and younger are most susceptible to the effects of lead because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults. In children, lead can cause:
•Nervous system and kidney damage
•Behavior and learning problems, including attention deficit disorder
•Lower IQ and hyperactivity
•Speech and language problems
•Hearing problems
•Anemia
•Decreased muscle and bone growth
Lead can be dangerous for adults too. In adults, lead poisoning can cause:
•Fertility problems in both men and women
•High blood pressure
•Nerve disorders
•Concentration and memory problems
•Muscle and joint pain
•Digestive problems
Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead as exposure increases their chance of illness during pregnancy, as well as harm to a fetus, including brain damage and potentially death.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself and Your Family?
The health effects from lead exposure are quite frightening; however knowledge is power. One of the most important things you can do is to have your home tested for lead by a certified lead inspector, especially if it was built before 1978, and/or if you intend on doing any remodeling projects. Research has shown that general remodeling and renovation activities are associated with an increased risk of elevated lead levels in children. Renovation, repair or painting activities can create toxic lead dust when painted surfaces are disturbed or demolished.
Steps to Lower Your Exposure:
•Maintain all painted surfaces to prevent paint from chipping
•Clean up paint chips immediately
•Clean painted areas where friction can generate dust, such as windows (frames, casings, sashes, channels and sills) and floors regularly. Wipe these areas with a damp cloth or rag rather than sweeping or vacuuming which can spread the dust
•Wash hands and children’s toys often
•Try to keep young children from chewing window sills and painted surfaces
•Use only cold water to prepare food and drinks
•Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin c
Links to Helpful Lead Resources:
EPA’s Steps to Lead Safe Renovation Repair and Painting
EPA's Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right
EPA and HUD's Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home
CDPHE's Lead Safety Time
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