All homeowners in America are, at the very least, aware of lead paint. Houses painted before 1978 were most likely painted with lead-based paint. From news to morning television programs the dangers of lead paint for you, your children, or for anyone else that comes in contact with your home are well known. However, there is a lot of misinformation and myths surrounding lead, lead testing, & lead removal.
1. Homes No Longer Use Lead-Based Paint, So It Is No Longer A Concern
This myth is false. Although lead-based paint is no longer used, any home built before 1978 may contain lead-paint. Unless properly dealt with by a licensed lead-paint remover or a contractor, your home's may still contain lead dust and paint chips.
2. The Only Way To Deal With Lead Paint is By Removing It
Although the safest and most secure way to deal with lead paint is to have it professionally removed, that is not always necessary. Lead paint is only dangerous when it chips away and becomes lead dust. Contractors can deal with lead paint by painting over the lead paint with a coat of specially designed encapsulant. This option may be economically more feasible for some families.
3. You Should Only See A Doctor If Someone Is Exhibiting Signs of Lead Poisoning
This myth is false. Lead poisoning can be asymptomatic, meaning that you can be poisoned and exhibit no outward symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have lead poisoning is with a blood test. All children should be tested for lead poisoning when they are 1 or 2 years old, and adults should be tested if they believe they have come in common with lead-based paints.
4. You Can Clean Lead Paint Chips With A Dustmask & Vacuum
A dust mask does not provide enough of a filter for lead dust and will not protect you from being poisoned. Furthermore, a regular vacuum cleaner is not rated for removing lead paint chips. Vacuums can actually put more lead dust into the air and make your home more dangerous. To properly remove lead, either hire a professional lead pain remover or follow state guidelines to ensure your safety.
5. You Can Tell If Paint Contains Lead By Looking At It
Lead paint can only be distinguished using specialized tools. It is not safe to assume your paint doesn't contain lead based on how it looks. In many cases, lead paint could be painted over with non-lead paint. The coat of lead paint beneath is still a potential danger. If you have bought or rent a property old enough for lead paint to be an issue and you do not have any evidence that your home has been tested, you should get your home tested professionally.
At DCM Environmental Testing we provide licensed lead-paint testing and can recommend removal options if necessary. We do not remove lead paint, so you know that there is no bias or conflict of interest in our testing. For peace of mind and your family's safety, call or email us to have your home tested.
