The majority of homes built prior to 1978 were painted with lead-based oil paints inside the home, outside, or both. Lead was a common additive used as a pigment and drying agent until the legal maximum of lead allowable in paint was reduced in 1978 to the minuscule trace amount of 0.06%.

The most common uses of lead paint inside homes included:

Windows

Doors and Door Trim

Baseboards

Wainscoting

Crown Moldings

Ceilings

Walls, Paneling, Plaster

Cabinets and Other Surfaces

Lead paint that is undisturbed and in good condition or covered with layers of newer paint is not a problem. However, if the paint begins to chip or deteriorate, lead dust can be released into the air and inhaled, or land on surfaces and be picked up when touched. Lead is especially dangerous for children, leading to nervous system or kidney damage, delayed speech or intellectual development, and behavioral issues. In adults, it can lead to nerve damage, miscarriage, reproductive problems, and high blood pressure.

Renovating When Lead Paint is Present in Your Home

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires contractors and companies that work on homes built prior to 1978 to be certified in the use of lead-safe practices. They are trained in specific safety precautions, procedures for containing lead dust and protecting both workers and homeowners, and the use of specialized equipment to keep everyone safe during the job and after work is completed.

The EPA does not require homeowners to follow the strict safety precautions that contractors have to follow, but they do have guidelines and suggestions for the do-it-yourselfers.

These Guidelines Include:

Removing all removable items from the area of remodeling and tightly wrapping in plastic sheeting and sealing with tape all areas that cannot be removed (such as built-in bookshelves).

Covering all floors with plastic sheeting and sealing off the entire area with plastic sheets that are taped on all four sides, with a slit cut in the center for entrance and another sheet taped at the ceiling to act as a flap.

Turning off all forced-air heating and air conditioning systems and covering all vents.

Spraying the surface of lead paint with water as you are working on it to reduce lead dust.

Using special equipment and protective clothing: NIOSH-certified disposable respirator with HEPA filter and HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner (not a household model); wet-sanding equipment; protective clothing covering the entire body or specific clothing that will be laundered separately

Checking for Lead Paint in the Renovation Area

As you can see, there are many hazards associated with handling lead-based paint. The EPA encourages homeowners to hire a certified lead abatement contractor or inspector to determine if lead is present in the area that they want to have remodeled.

You can give yourself great peace of mind and save yourself a great deal of trouble by having your work area tested for the presence of lead and discovering there is no lead present. If results show that lead is only in a few limited areas, you will then know what areas to handle with particular caution. We recommend you have your home retested after the work is complete, to eliminate the possibility of lead dust lingering and to receive a Lead-Free or Lead-Safe Certificate.

Please call Environmental Testing Services, (866) 226-2114, to help you safely remodel your home.