If you have your building tested for lead paint and the test comes back positive you may be wondering what next steps you need to take. Many people believe that legally they must remove the lead paint, but in Massachusetts, it is legal to simply cover the lead paint. According to the Massachusetts Lead Law, lead paint must be removed or covered if occupants in a property are younger than six years of age. Deciding how to deal with lead paint is based on preference for the property owner.
Understanding the Massachusetts Lead Law
To be compliant with Massachusetts Lead Law you need to hire a licensed lead paint tester who can test your property for any lead paint and record their data. The homeowner may choose how to handle hazards but they are required to handle and urgent lead hazards. Lead paint must also be removed by a Massachusetts licensed lead paint remover.
Covering Lead Paint with an Encapsulant
One technique for handling lead paint is to use an encapsulant or a type of sealant designed to seal away hazardous lead paint. Lead paint is only dangerous if it gets into the body (especially in young children). In order for this to happen the paint needs to chip and become airborne. Instead of removing the lead paint, many homeowners or business owners opt to use an encapsulant. There are a few pros and cons to using encapsulants. On the pro side, encapsulants are affordable and a relatively quick and simple solution compared to lead paint removal. On the con side, encapsulants do not remove the lead paint, so any construction, remodeling, or damage to the encapsulated surface could lead to lead paint chips becoming airborne. Encapsulants also are not to be used on surfaces that are walked on, surfaces that are already deteriorated, or between surfaces that rub together. Encapsulants work best on flat solid surfaces.
Lead Paint Removal
If you have lead paint, your other option is traditional removal services. As stated above, lead paint removal must be handled by a professional licensed technician. It is a more complex job compared to applying an encapsulant and can be more expensive as you will also likely need to repaint the areas. Moreover, the job will likely take longer than using an encapsulant. However, once lead paint is removed correctly, you have removed any risk of lead paint issues in the future.
Lead Paint Inspections in Massachusetts
At DCM Environmental Testing, our team can test your property for lead paint. We are licensed in Massachusetts to perform testing. We do not provide abatement, encapsulant, or lead paint removal services as we would see this as a conflict on interests. We will inspect and reinspect your property for lead paint and provide unbiased reporting on whether or not your property contains lead paint. Contact us to set up an appointment.
