| About Lead-Based Paint | |
 The
previous page describes the new lead-based
paint disclosure rules and regulations that were recently released by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD). But how do you determine whether or not there is a hazard present in your home
associated with lead? Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard. You can get your home checked for lead hazards in one of two ways, or both. First, a lead inspection will tell you the lead content of every painted surface in your home. What it doesn't tell you is whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it. The second method, a risk assessment, tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure, such as peeling paint and lead dust. It also tells you what actions to take to address these hazards. Be sure to have qualified professionals do these types of inspections and assessments. These professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including: visual inspection of paint condition and location; lab tests of paint samples; surface dust tests; and portable fluorescence x-ray machines. Home test kits for lead are available, but the federal government is still testing their reliability. These home tests should not be the only method used before doing renovations or to assure safety. A brochure titled, Reducing Lead Hazards When
Remodeling Your Home, is available through the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at
800-424-LEAD (5323). It explains what to do before, during and after renovations to keep
the lead hazard at a minimum. |
