If you are currently living in, buying, or renovating an old home, chances are you will be concerned about yourself or your family being exposed to lead paint. In this article, we at All Construction Services LLC will discuss how to identify lead paint and what is involved in lead abatement.
Why Is Lead Paint Hazardous?
The EPA maintains that lead is a neurotoxin that can result in various health problems. It is especially dangerous for children, as elevated blood lead levels can cause developmental, behavioral, and learning issues.
For women that are pregnant, exposure to lead has been associated with risks of miscarriage, low birth weight, and impaired neuro-development.
How To Identify Lead Paint?
Even if you suspect that you have some lead paint in your house, there is no way to be 100% sure without a lead inspection.
The XRF analyzer, which looks very similar to a radar gun, is used to check painted surfaces. Any measurement that is above 0.5 milligrams of lead a square centimeter is said to be positive for lead-based paint.
Just bear in mind that the dangers of lead paint are greater in households that have young children who are more likely to come into contact with paint or lead dust.
Generally speaking, lead paint that isn’t damaged or chipped is not said to be hazardous unless it is found on a “high-risk surface” that will receive a great deal of wear-and-tear, like stairs, window sills, door frames, railings, banisters, and porches.
Recognizing the first symptoms of lead poisoning is another surefire way to identify lead paint. People living in an older home experiencing the symptoms below should get an inspector to test for lead paint.
If you would like to make an appointment for a lead abatement job, please feel free to contact us at (610) 673-0769 now if you live in or around the Chester, PA area.