Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint
Lead-based paint was banned by the federal government in 1978. If your home was built before 1978, it may contain lead-based paint. While new lead paint production mostly ceased in 1978, store inventories and old cans stored in the garage may have been applied into the 80’s. Unless you have records of renovations or have painted your home’s walls yourself, you have almost no way to determine if your older Bay Area home contains lead-based paint. If there’s any doubt whether or not there is lead in your home, then it is worth testing.
Other Sources Where Lead Can Be Found
There are other sources in your home which may contain lead such as lead in water. Lead can be found in older house plumbing and may leech into your water. Lead in soil may also be found if lead paint has been deteriorating from a near-by source. Dust in the home may also contain lead. Lead dust occurs if lead paint has deteriorated in the home and is not continually cleaned.
Antiques and family heirlooms may contain lead. Older children’s toys may have lead paint on them. Old pottery may have lead-containing glaze. It’s important to test for lead when an item is suspect to contain lead. The best practice is to always treat suspect items of concern as if they were positive for lead until proven otherwise.
The Importance of Lead Testing Before Remodeling
It’s also important to note that lead-based paint can still pose a risk even if it has been painted over with non-lead-based paint. Lead underneath other layers of paint can become a hazard if the top layers crack, chip, or deteriorate, exposing the lead-based paint beneath. Disturbing these layers during renovations, remodeling, or any kind of construction work can release lead dust or particles, creating a serious health risk.
If renovations, remodeling, or construction work is planned, a lead survey and testing are required to identify potential lead hazards and ensure the safety of occupants and workers. Proper precautions and remediation measures can then be implemented to minimize the risk of lead exposure.
Lead in your home can endanger your children
Depending on the condition of your home, lead-based paint can break down over time into paint chips and lead-containing dust. Young children, ages 6 and younger have a tendency to play with objects on the floor, even ingesting small items. Children can contract lead poisoning if they chew on or ingest lead-containing items or debris.
Children are not the only ones at risk
Adults can also suffer from lead poisoning. Older homes may have plumbing that leeches lead into drinking water. If you renovate an older home, you risk exposure to toxic lead from disturbed building materials.
The size of your renovation and the lead levels in your home may make you liable. Improper disposal of hazardous waste can result in penalties.
What you can do
If you live in an older home, you can contact your local lead inspector. During a lead paint inspection the certified inspector will collect samples to determine the lead content in your home. Typically, the report can be handed off to a certified abatement company so they can provide you a quote for any needed work.
