Lead Based Paint: 

Many houses built before 1978 have paint that contains lead. Lead was added to paints to improve their durability. The amount of lead in paint varied, and some painters even added lead powder to primer coats on the job. Regulation of lead based paint began in 1978. Beginning in1996, federal law started requiring information about lead based paint to be provided to buyers of homes built before 1978. Lead based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard. However, people can be exposed to lead in the paint when the paint is chipping, peeling, chalking, or cracking. Paint that contains lead and is in this condition is a hazard and needs attention. Also, lead based paint can become a hazard when it is scraped, sanded, or heated. The dust and paint fragments contain lead, and settle on surfaces that people touch. Surfaces that get a lot of wear-and-tear or that children can chew can become a hazard, such as window sills, door frames and stair railings. People can get lead in their body if they ingest the lead dust or fragments. This actually happens quite easily, when someone gets lead dust on his or her hands or another object that touches their mouth, or if they eat paint chips or soil that contains lead. Lead dust also gets into the air we breathe by vacuuming, or when the paint surface is disturbed. Lead poisoning affects the nervous system and brain function. It can cause behavior and learning problems in children, as well as slowed growth. Other symptoms of lead problems include hearing problems and headaches. The affects of lead poisoning are most extreme in children under the age of six and pregnant women. Infants are particularly vulnerable because of the constant hand-to-mouth activity, the increased possibility of eating lead contaminated soil and paint fragments, and frequent contact with surfaces where lead has collected, or painted with lead based paint. Also, children’s growing bodies absorb lead more easily than adults. You can have your home checked for lead based paint. A lead based paint inspection will determine if paint in your home contains lead, but will not estimate whether a hazard exists. A risk assessment determines whether there are lead hazards present, and suggests options to manage the risk. If lead based paint abatement is needed to stop or control the lead hazard, several procedures are available. These include encapsulation, enclosure, replacement or removal. If your home was built before 1978 and you are pregnant or have children, you should have your home inspected for lead based paint. If lead based paint is found, you should get a simple blood test, and get more information about your particular situation. [ Back to General Home Information ] Schedule Your Inspection Today