In 1978' the United States federally banned the use of lead paint in building homes, offices, and other properties. Unfortunately, up until this point lead paint was one of the most commonly used products when building new homes. Even now in 2021, there is still a high risk of properties having lead paint. Compared to other sources of lead, lead paint can be the most dangerous and most likely to cause lead poisoning. Children are highly at risk since it takes less lead to cause problems and it is easier for children to accidentally ingest lead. That being said, many homeowners and property managers wonder whether or not they should test their property for lead paint.
Should Your Property Be Tested For Lead Paint?
Many people assume that because it has been almost 50 years since lead paint was banned as a substance it is less likely that homes and offices still have lead paint. The assumption is that if lead paint was present it was probably taken care of by a previous owner or property manager. However, this is not necessarily the case. According to the EPA lead paint is still present in millions of homes. That is primarily because it is legal to paint over lead paint with specialized sealants. This is a cost-effective way to handle lead paint and is legal in many states. However, these sealants are not permanent solutions and do not get rid of the lead paint beneath. Any construction or remodeling could kick lead paint chips into the air.
Why You Should Hire A Professional Lead Paint Tester
The EPA recommends that any property manager or homeowner has their paint tested for lead paint if the property was build before 1978. Based on estimations more than 80% of homes built before 1940 contain lead paint, almost 70% built before 1960 contain lead paint, and depending on where you live, homes built from 1960 to 1978 vary. This is because some states banned lead paint products early than others. Regardless, it is smart to have a property tested if it is an older property. Some homeowners opt for over the counter lead paint testers, but independent studies have found these testing kits to be highly inaccurate especially when testing paint that has been painted over.
Does Lead Paint Need To Be Removed?
As mentioned above, it is legal to paint over lead paint with sealants. This is why lead paint continues to be a concern even now in 2021. Removing lead paint can spare you and future property owners from needing to remove the paint, but if you are not planning to do remodeling, a sealant is an effective way to protect you and your family. As long as the sealant stays intact and doesn't chip or peel, you and your guests should be safe from lead exposure.
Schedule a Lead Paint Test
If you would like to schedule a lead paint test for your property in the Greater Boston area we would be happy to help. To schedule an appointment please send us a message via our website.
