United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of EPA 747-K-00-001
Pollution Prevention and Toxics July 2000
7404
Testing Your Home For Lead
In Paint, Dust, And Soil
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Preface
About This Publication
This publication is for anyone who is considering having a home
or residence tested for lead in paint, dust, or soil by a lead-based
paint professional. It explains the technical aspects of lead testing
without overwhelming the reader. Thus, commonly asked questions
are presented in logical order. The first section tells why you would
test for lead, the approaches for testing for lead, and what informa-
tion you will get from each approach. The second section answers
specific questions about how paint, soil, and dust sampling are con-
ducted by a lead-based paint professional in your home. Finally,
the last section answers other questions about testing, including
questions about home test kits and testing of water and ceramics.
Important:
This publication addresses federal regulations and guidelines.
Your state may have its own lead program and different regulations.
For more information, contact the National Lead Information Center
(NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD or visit http://www.epa.gov/lead.
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Table Of Contents
Section 1: General Questions About Testing Approaches
Why Should I Test My Home For Lead? 1
Why Is Testing Recommended For Houses Built Before 1978? 2
What Kind Of Testing Do I Want? 2
Who Can Do Lead Testing For Me? 4
What Will The Testing Report Tell Me? 5
Do I Have To Do Anything After The Testing Is Completed? 5
May I Abate Lead-Based Paint Hazards In My Own Home? 6
Section 2: Specific Questions About Testing Paint, Dust, And Soil
Are All Painted Surfaces In The Home Tested 7
How Are Painted Surfaces Tested? 7
What Do The Results Of Paint Testing Mean? 8
What If No Lead-Based Paint Is Found In My Home? 9
How Are Dust Samples Collected And Analyzed? 10
What Do The Results Of Dust Sampling Mean? 10
How Are Soil Samples Collected And Analyzed? 11
What Do The Results Of Soil Testing Mean? 11
What Are Composite Samples? 11
Section 3: Miscellaneous Questions Frequently Asked About Testing
What Are Home Test Kits? 13
Does EPA Recommend Test Kits For Paint, Dust, Or Soil Testing? 13
May I Collect Paint, Dust, And Soil Samples Myself And Send Them To A Laboratory?.. 13
What About Testing For Lead In Water? 13
What About Testing For Lead In Furniture, Dishware, And Mini-Blinds? 14
Contacts For Further Information 15
Additional Reading 16
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Section 1
General Questions
About Testing Procedures
Why Should I Test My
Home For Lead?
There are numerous reasons why you
might want to test your home for lead,
especially if built before 1978.
I. There Are (Or Will Be) Children Age
Six And Younger In The Home
Lead from paint, especially peeling or
flaking paint, can get into dust and soil in
and around a home. Young children may then
swallow the lead during normal hand-to-mouth
activity. In addition, an unborn child may be
exposed to lead in the mother's womb. High
levels of lead in the fetus and in children age
six and younger have been linked to nervous
system damage, behavior and learning prob-
lems, and slow growth. Testing can tell you
whether there is lead-based paint or a lead-
based paint hazard in your home.
II. You Are About To Remodel,
Renovate, Or Repaint Your Home
Any disturbance of lead-based paint can
create a hazard by depositing lead chips or
particles in the house dust or in the soil around
the house. If you are planning on doing reno-
vation, remodeling, or repainting, you should
have testing done by a certified lead-based
paint professional on any painted surfaces that
will be removed, disturbed, scraped, or sanded
before starting the work. The EPA brochure
Redudfip Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your
o V> o
Home (see page 16) provides guidelines for
renovating or remodeling your home.
If your house was built before 1978 and
you hire a professional to renovate, the renova-
tor must, before beginning renovation, give you
a copy of the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family
From Lead In Your Home.
III. You Are Renting Or Buying A Home
The Federal Lead-Based Paint and Lead-
Based Paint Hazards Disclosure Rule requires
that the landlord or seller of a residential
dwelling built prior to 1978 provide the renter
or buyer with:
| The pamphlet Protect Your Family
From Lead In Your Home and
| Any available information on lead-
based paint or lead-based paint
hazards in the home.
A buyer must be given the opportunity to
conduct testing to determine whether lead-
based paint or lead-based paint hazards are
present. While you are not required by law to
test for lead, it may be advisable if you have
(or plan to have) young children in the home.
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IV. You Are A Landlord Or Selling A
Home
As discussed above, a homeowner is
required to provide renters or buyers with any
available information on lead-based paint or
lead-based paint hazards in homes built before
1978. Testing will give you the information
that may be requested by potential renters or
buyers.
Why Is Testing
Recommended For Houses
Built Before 1978?
Federal regulations placed a limit on
the amount of lead in paint sold for
residential use starting in 1978. That
is why homes built before 1978 are
subject to the Disclosure Rule. The
older the home, the greater the chance
of lead-based paint and lead-based
paint hazards, and the more important
it is to have the home tested.
What Kind Of Testing Do I
Want?
Three different approaches for testing
lead are available: a lead-based paint
inspection, a risk assessment, and a lead
hazard screen. A combination inspec-
tion and risk assessment may also be
done. Selection of the approach
depends on why you are testing.
I.
Lead-Based Paint Inspection
A lead-based paint inspection is a surface-
by-surface investigation to determine whether
there is lead-based paint in the home and
where it is located. An inspection may be par-
ticularly useful before renovation, repainting, or
paint removal.
An inspection includes:
I An inventory of all painted surfaces,
including the outside as well as the
inside of the home. Tainted surfaces'
include all surfaces coated with paint,
shellac, varnish, stain, coating, or even
paint covered by wallpaper.
| Selection and testing of each type of
painted surface.
Then you should get a report listing the
painted surfaces in the home and whether each
painted surface contains lead-based paint.
An inspection does not typically test painted
furniture unless it is a permanent part of the
home, such as kitchen or bathroom cabinets or
built-in bookshelves. Soil, dust, and water are
not typically tested during an inspection.
The presence of lead-based paint in a home
does not necessarily mean there is a lead-based
paint hazard to occupants. To make sure, you
may want a different testing approach (either
a risk assessment or hazard screen).
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Typical Painted Surfaces Tested During Inspection
Inside The Home
Outside The Home
Baseboards
Built-in Cabinets
Ceilings
Chair Rails
Doors
Fireplaces
Floors
Heating Units
Railings
Shelves
Stairs
Walls
Windows
Chimneys
Door Trim
Fascia, Soffits
Fences
Gutters, Downspouts
Handrails
Lattice Work
Mailboxes
Porches
Roofing
Siding
Stairs
Sheds
Swing Sets
II. Risk Assessment
A risk assessment is an on-site investigation
to determine the presence, type, severity, and
location of lead-based paint hazards. The
presence of deteriorated lead-based paint or
high levels of lead in dust or soil pose potential
hazards to children who may ingest lead inside
or playing outside.
A risk assessment includes:
| A visual inspection of the residence to
determine the location of deteriorated
paint, the extent and causes of the
deterioration, and other factors that
may cause lead exposure to young
children inside or outside the home.
| Testing deteriorated paint and paint
on surfaces where there is reason to
believe (from teeth marks or from
reports of a parent) that a child has
chewed, licked, or mouthed the paint.
Painted surfaces in good condition are
not tested.
H Testing household dust from floors and
windows. Samples should include areas
from a child's bedroom, a child's main
play area, the main entrance, and other
locations to be chosen by the certified
Risk Assessor.
| Testing bare soil from play areas, the
building foundation, and possibly other
areas around the home.
H Optional water testing.
Finally, you should get a report identifying
the location of the types of lead-based paint
hazards and ways to control them. Because
not all paint is tested, a risk assessment cannot
conclude that there is no lead-based paint in
the home.
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An important point is that a risk assessment
identifies current lead-based paint hazards.
New hazards may arise if lead-based paint is
disturbed, damaged, or deteriorates.
If you want to know which painted sur-
faces contain lead-based paint and whether any
lead-based hazards are present, you will need a
combination inspection and risk assessment.
III. Lead Hazard Screen
A lead hazard screen is a limited version of a
risk assessment for houses with a low chance
of lead risks.
In a lead hazard screen:
| Any painted surfaces in a deteriorated
condition are tested.
| Two sets of dust samples are collected
in a lead hazard screen. One set repre-
sents the floors and the other set repre-
sents the windows. Typically, there is
less dust sampling in a lead hazard
screen than in a risk assessment.
| Usually soil samples are not collected
in a lead hazard screen, with one
exception. If there is evidence of
paint chips in the soil from previous
exterior repainting, then the soil should
be sampled and tested.
The outcome of the lead hazard screen
is either a conclusion that lead-based paint
hazards are probably not present or a rec-
ommendation that a full risk assessment be
conducted to determine if such hazards are
present.
In a lead hazard screen, only deteriorated
paint is tested. Thus, a lead hazard screen can-
not conclude there is no lead-based paint in the
home.
A lead hazard screen is only recommended
for residences that are generally in good condi-
tion, with little visible dust, and with paint in
good condition (very little chipping or flaking).
If not, the screen is likely to be a waste of time
and money. In general, a lead hazard screen
will be more useful in housing built after 1960.
As with a risk assessment, a lead hazard
screen identifies current lead-based paint
hazards. If there is lead-based paint in the
home, new hazards may arise if that paint
is disturbed, damaged, or deteriorates.
Who Can Do Lead Testing
For Me?
It is strongly recommended that testing
be performed by a certified Inspector
or certified Risk Assessor.
Certified Inspectors can perform only
lead-based paint inspections.
Certified Risk Assessors can perform
both risk assessments and lead hazard
screens.
Your state may define the titles for lead-
based paint professionals and the types of
testing they can perform differently from
what this brochure says. You can find out by
calling NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD.
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What Will The Testing
Report Tell Me?
That will depend on which approach
has been used: inspection, risk assess-
ment, or lead hazard screen. Request
a sample report before the testing is
done so that you may see what infor-
mation will be provided and how it
will be presented. You should also
request that actual lead values (not just
'positive' or 'negative' classifications)
be provided in the report as evidence
that the testing was actually done.
I. Inspection Report
If you have an inspection done, you should
receive a report that tells you which painted
surfaces were tested and the test results for
each surface. An inspection report will not tell
you the condition of the lead-based paint or
whether lead-based paint hazards exist.
II. Risk Assessment Report
If you have a risk assessment done, you
will receive a report that tells you whether
there are any lead-based paint hazards and
recommends ways to reduce or control any
hazards present.
The certified Risk Assessor will take into
account the test results and the results of the
visual inspection to decide if there are any
lead-based paint hazards and how to control
them. Lead-based paint hazards identified
include lead-based paint in deteriorated con-
dition or on surfaces mouthed by a child.
In addition, house dust or bare soil with
hazardous lead levels will be identified.
The certified Risk Assessor will provide
a list of options for controlling each hazard.
Options may include both interim controls
and abatement.
| Interim Controls — These are short-term
or temporary actions. Examples include
recommendations to repair deteriorated
surfaces that contain lead-based paint,
to clean house dust more frequently, or
to plant grass or shrubs in areas with
bare soil.
| Abatement— These are long-term or
permanent actions. Examples include
replacing old windows, building a new
wall over an existing one, or removing
soil.
The certified Risk Assessor will also iden-
tify the probable source of the paint deteriora-
tion and determine whether other repairs are
warranted. For example, a water leak may need
to be repaired to prevent further damage to the
paint.
III. Hazard Screen Report
If you have a lead hazard screen done, the
report tells you either that there are probably
no lead-based paint hazards in the house or
that full-scale risk assessment is needed.
Do I Have To Do Anything
After The Testing Is
Completed?
There is no EPA requirement for you
to do anything to any lead-based paint
or lead-based paint hazards found
when testing your home. However, if
your home was built before 1978, you
will be required to provide the test
results to any renter or buyer when you
lease or sell the home. For more infor-
mation on the responsibilities of sellers,
landlords and their agents, contact
NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD or visit
http:^www.epa.gov/lead.
Be aware that there may be state or other
requirements for action based on the test
results. You can call NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD
for information about what is required in your
locality before you start testing.
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May I Abate Lead-Based
Paint Hazards In My Own
Home?
If you decide to abate lead-based paint
hazards in your own home, it is not
recommended that you do the work
yourself. Abatement activities must be
done following careful procedures to
prevent contamination of the home
with lead dust. To be safe, hire a
certified lead-based paint contractor
(a certified professional who can do
lead-based paint related abatement).
Dust samples should be collected to
check the thoroughness of the work.
Be aware that you must be certified your-
self or you must hire a certified lead-based
paint professional in the following cases: 1) if a
child with a blood-lead level of 20 ug/dL* or
higher for a single venous test (or 15—19 ug/dL
in two consecutive tests taken 3 to 4 months
apart) lives in the house or 2) you own the
house and rent it to someone else.
If you hire a firm to do testing for lead-
based paint hazards, note that you are not
under any obligation to hire the same firm to
do the abatement. In fact, it would be better to
have one firm conduct all testing and another
firm conduct the abatement work. That will
prevent a conflict of interest.
Be sure to maintain a record of the work
to help during any future sale or rental of the
home.
*Pronounced micrograms of lead per deciliter
of blood.
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Section 2
Specific Questions
About Testing Paint,
Dust, And Soil
Are All Painted Surfaces In
The Home Tested?
Not every single painted surface in the
home will be tested in an inspection,
but all types of painted surfaces are
tested. For example, a room may have
three windows, all painted the same
color and all made out of wood. The
certified Inspector may not test all
three windows, because they appear
to be the same.
In a similar fashion, the certified Inspector
will go through every room and test the differ-
ent types of painted surfaces in the rooms.
Painted surfaces on the outside of the home,
detached structures (such as garages), and items
like painted fences and swing sets should also
be tested.
Inspections differ from risk assessments
and lead hazard screens. In a risk assessment,
only deteriorated paint and paint that has been
mouthed or chewed by a child will be tested.
In a lead hazard screen, only deteriorated paint
is tested.
How Are Painted Surfaces
Tested?
There are currently two methods
recognized by EPA for testing paint:
portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
analyzers and paint chip sampling
followed by analysis by a laboratory
recognized by EPA's National Lead
Laboratory Accreditation Program
(NLLAP).
I. Portable X-Ray Fluorescence
Analyzers (XRFs)
A portable XRF measures lead in paint,
generally without damaging the paint. How-
ever, readings from some XRFs are affected
by the base material (known as the "substrate")
underneath the paint, such as wood, plaster,
or metal. For these cases, the certified
Inspector removes paint from a few surfaces
of each type and takes a measurement on the
unpainted surface. These measurements pro-
vide a baseline to adjust the lead in paint value.
This procedure may do some paint damage.
Also, for curved surfaces or very deteriorated
paint, XRF analyzers may not read accurately
and a paint chip sample may be required.
When a certified lead-based paint pro-
fessional follows good testing practices,
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XRF analyzers provide a fast and reliable
method for classifying many painted surfaces.
However, some XRF test results may be
inconclusive (neither positive nor negative).
Then laboratory testing of a paint chip sample
may be necessary.
Because the XRF analyzer uses a radiation
source to detect lead, occupants in the house-
hold should be asked to stay out of rooms
behind the surfaces being tested.
II. Paint Chip Sampling And
Laboratory Analysis
Paint chip samples are collected for labora-
tory analysis by removing one to four square
inches of paint from the surface. All layers of
paint in the sampled area are included in the
sample. Usually samples will contain some of
the material beneath the paint, such as wood,
plaster, or concrete particles. The amount of
this material will be kept to a minimum.
Tools such as chisels and scrapers are used
to remove the paint. Sometimes a heat gun is
used to soften the paint and make the removal
easier. If so, a respirator should be worn by the
person operating the heat gun for protection
from lead and other fumes. In addition, the
room or area should be well ventilated to pro-
tect occupants.
After collecting the paint chip sample,
the certified lead-based paint professional will
repair the scraped area so that adjacent paint
will not peel or flake off. Any paint chips or
dust from the sampling should be cleaned up
by the certified lead-based paint professional
to ensure no lead dust is left behind.
Paint chip samples should be analyzed
for lead by a laboratory recognized by EPAs
NLLAP as proficient for testing lead in paint.
EPA has established the NLLAP to ensure that
laboratory analyses are done accurately. A labo-
ratory on the list is recognized as proficient for
testing for lead in whichever of the three sam-
ple types (paint, dust, or soil) the laboratory
has qualified. The certified Inspector and certi-
fied Risk Assessor must ensure that any paint
chip samples from your home are analyzed by
a laboratory on the NLLAP list for paint. This
publication addresses federal regulations and
guidelines. Your state may have its own lead
program and different regulations. For more
information, contact NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD
or visit http://www.epa.gov/lead.
While paint chip sampling followed by lab-
oratory analysis is generally more accurate than
XRF testing, sampling and analysis take longer
to complete and paint chips must be scraped
from many surfaces in the home. In some cases,
a surface may be curved or so deteriorated that
an XRF cannot be used properly and sampling
may be the only way to test the paint.
What Do The Results Of
Paint Testing Mean?
A certified lead-based paint professional
will use guidance specific for each type
of XRF analyzer to determine whether
a measurement indicates that:
Lead-based paint is present,
Lead-based paint is not present, or
The measurement is inconclusive and a
laboratory test is necessary.
The guidance ensures the XRF measure-
ment classifies paint as lead-based when there
is 1.0 milligram of lead per square centimeter
of painted surface or greater (1.0 mg/cm2). An
XRF analyzer typically reads in mg/cm2, mean-
ing milligrams per square centimeter.
When the paint chip sampling followed by
laboratory analysis method is used, the federal
definition of lead-based paint is dependent on
how the results are reported.
I If the laboratory report is expressed as
weight of lead per weight of paint chip,
the federal definition of lead-based
paint is 0.5 percent lead (0.5%). This
is mathematically the same as 5,000
milligrams of lead per kilogram of
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Federal Definition Of Lead-Based Paint Depends On How Test Results Are Reported
w Test Results Are Report
If results are reported as percent (or equivalent)
If results are reported as milligrams per square
centimeter
Tal Definition Of Lead-Based P
Then, in order for it to be considered lead-based
paint, the paint must have greater than or equal
to 0.5% (which is the same as 5,000 ug/g or
5,000 mg/kg or 5,000 ppm) lead
Then, in order for it to be considered lead-based
paint, the paint must have greater than or equal
to 1 mg/cm2 lead
paint chip (5,000 mg/kg), or 5,000
micrograms of lead per gram of paint
chip (5,000 ug/g), or 5,000 parts per
million lead (5,000 ppm).
I If the laboratory report is expressed
as a weight of lead per unit area of
painted surface, the federal definition
of lead-based paint is 1.0 mg/cm2
(the same as for XRF analysis).
It is possible to report laboratory results
in both types of units, but this is rarely done
because of the additional time and work
required.
Unfortunately, there is no universal defini-
tion of lead-based paint. Some state and local
governments have definitions of lead-based
paint which differ from those in federal law. It
is recommended that when there is a conflict
between the federal definition and a state or
local definition, the more stringent standard
(that is, the lower number) be used to define
lead-based paint. A certified lead-based paint
professional (certified Inspector or certified
Risk Assessor) will be aware of and will follow
the appropriate standard.
What If No Lead-Based
Paint Is Found In My
Home?
Lead can still be present in paint which
is not classified as "lead-based." This
would occur when the paint has a lower
amount of lead than the federal gov-
ernment regulates. If lead is present in
the paint, lead dust can be released
when the paint deteriorates, or is dis-
turbed during remodeling, renovation,
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sanding, or some maintenance work
that breaks the surface of the paint.
This is especially important in homes
built before 1978. Since the amount of
lead in paint was limited by federal reg-
ulation in 1978, lead exposure during
remodeling and renovation is not as
much a concern in newer homes. So
you should be careful when there is
work that involves extensive breaking
of painted surfaces in a home built
before 1978. Make sure any dust and
debris created by breaking painted
surfaces are thoroughly cleaned up,
painted surfaces are repaired and left
intact when the work is done, and
children stay away from the work
areas until all repairs and clean-up
are completed.
The EPA brochure
Lead Haz
When Remodeling Your Home provides guidelines
for renovating and remodeling your home. See
page 16 for more information on how to order
the brochure.
How Are Dust Samples
Collected And Analyzed?
The most common method for dust
collection is a surface wipe sample.
Most certified Risk Assessors will use
baby wipes or wet wipes to collect dust.
If dust is collected from a floor, an area of
one square foot is usually sampled. The area is
wiped several times in different directions to
pick up all the dust. After sampling, the wipe is
placed in a container and sent to a laboratory
for analysis. The certified Risk Assessor will
also collect wipe samples from windows and
measure the surface area wiped.
In some situations, special types of vacuum
samplers may be used for dust collection. These
are different from home vacuum cleaners,
although some may look the same.
II
LLULLUJ
The certified lead-based paint professional
must send dust samples to a laboratory recog-
nized by EPAs NLLAP that is proficient for
dust analysis. This publication addresses federal
regulations and guidelines. Your state may have
its own lead program and different regulations.
For more information, contact NLIC at 1-800-
424-LEAD or visit http:^www.epa.gov/lead.
What Do The Results Of
Dust Sampling Mean?
Dust sample results are usually
expressed as a weight of lead per unit
area of surface. The units will usually
be micrograms of lead per square foot.
For example, a floor wipe sample may
be expressed as 50 micrograms of
lead per square foot. This is written
as 50 ug/ft2. The certified lead-based
paint professional will provide guidance
in interpreting the results of the dust
testing.
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How Are Soil Samples
Collected And Analyzed?
Soil samples are collected from bare
soil areas (soil with no grass or other
covering) near your home where chil-
dren play and from bare soil areas
near the house foundation or drip line.
Optional sampling areas are gardens,
pathways, and pet sleeping areas.
Samples are collected by coring or
scooping methods that take the top
half-inch of soil. Samples of non-bare
soil may sometimes be collected.
Soil samples must be sent to a laboratory
recognized by EPA's NLLAP that is proficient
in soil analysis. This publication addresses
federal regulations and guidelines. Your state
may have its own lead program and different
regulations. For more information, contact
NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD or visit http://
www.epa.gov/lead.
What Do The Results Of
Soil Testing Mean?
Results of soil samples are expressed as
a weight of lead per unit weight of soil,
usually in parts per million. For exam-
ple, a soil sample result may be 300
parts per million. This is written 300
ppm. The certified lead-based paint
professional will help you interpret the
results of the soil testing.
What Are Composite
Samples?
Composite samples are combinations
of individual samples analyzed together
in a laboratory to obtain a single aver-
age result. Both dust and soil samples
may be composited. For example, a
floor dust sample may be collected in
each of three rooms and combined to
obtain one composite dust sample to be
analyzed by the laboratory. Or four soil
samples taken in a play area may be
combined to obtain one composite soil
sample. Paint samples may also be com-
posited, but this is not as common as
compositing dust and soil samples.
Composite samples may often be used in
risk assessments and lead hazard screens to
reduce the cost of laboratory analysis or to
increase the representativeness of a single
sample. The disadvantage of composite sam-
ples is that information is not available for
each room (or location) from which samples
were collected.
The certified Risk Assessor will interpret
composite sample results, if any. The advantage
of composite samples is that information is
obtained at reduced cost or more samples are
collected for the same cost.
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Section 3
Miscellaneous
Questions
Frequently Asked
About Testing
What Are Home Test Kits?
Home test kits are used in the home to
detect lead in paint, soil, and dust (and,
in some cases, water, dishware, glasses,
and ceramics). A reaction occurs caus-
ing a color change when chemicals in
the kit are exposed to lead.
Does EPA Recommend Test
Kits For Paint, Dust, Or Soil
Testing?
No. EPA does not currently
recommend home test kits to detect
lead in paint, dust, or soil. Studies show
that these kits are not reliable enough
to tell the difference between high and
low levels of lead. At this time, the
kits are not recommended for testing
performed by either homeowners or
certified lead-based paint professionals.
May I Collect Paint, Dust,
And Soil Samples Myself
And Send Them To A
Laboratory?
You may do this, although your sam-
ples may not be of the same quality
as those collected by a certified lead-
based paint professional. If you want
to collect samples yourself, it is recom-
mended that you send paint, dust, or
soil samples to a laboratory recognized
by EPAs NLLAP. A list of NLLAP
laboratories is available from NLIC by
calling 1-800-424-LEAD. If the sam-
ples contain high levels of lead, you
should have a certified lead-based paint
professional do a risk assessment of
your home.
What About Testing For
Lead In Water?
Lead pipes and lead solder were once
used in plumbing and lead leaked into
drinking water. Water testing is not rou-
tinely conducted by certified lead-based
paint testing professionals, but you may
ask for it as an optional service. If you
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would like information about testing
for lead in water, call the EPA Drinking
Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
What About Testing For
Lead In Furniture, Dishware,
And Mini-Blinds?
Lead may be present in the paint on
furniture. If the furniture is old or the
paint is damaged, you may want to have
it tested. A certified Inspector or certi-
fied Risk Assessor may do this testing
for you.
Lead may also be present in some glass-
ware (for example, lead crystal) and in glazes
found on ceramic ware. The lead may be
absorbed into the drink and food stored in
these items.
Contact NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD or
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Food Information Line at 1-800-FDA-4010
for information on testing glassware and
ceramics or access the FDA webpage at http://
vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lead.html#advice.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) has issued a warning that some mini-
blinds may contain lead. For further informa-
tion, contact the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-
2772 or access the CPSC webpage at http://
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml96/
96150.html.
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Contacts For Further Information:
Topic Agency
Contact Information
Testing ceramic ware and
related items
Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
Food Information Line
1-800-FDA-4010
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/
lead.html#advice
Information on lead in
mini-blinds
Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC)
1-800-638-2772
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
prerel/prhtm!96/96150.html
State lead programs and
regulations,
Current list of NLLAP
laboratories,
Lead brochures and fact sheets,
General lead hazard information
National Lead Information
Center (NLIC)
1-800-424-LEAD
OR
for the hearing impaired
1-800-877-8339
http://www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.htm
EPA and HUD related web sites Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/lead
Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/lea
Information on testing drinking
water for lead
EPA Drinking Water Hotline
1-800-426-4791
Information on state and
territory lead professional and
contractor certification and
licensing
EPA Regional Offices
Region 1
CT, ME, MA, NH, Rl, VT
Region 2
NJ, NY, PR, VI
Region 3
DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV
Region 4
AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
Region 5
IL, IN, Ml, MN.OH.WI
Region 6
AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Region 7
IA, KS, MO, NE
Region 8
CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
Region 9
AS.AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV, NP
Region 10
AK, ID, OR, WA
1-617-918-1524
1-732-321-6671
1-215-814-2084
1-404-562-8998
1-312-886-7836
1-214-665-7577
1-913-551-7518
1-303-312-6021
1-415-744-1069
1-206-553-1985
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Additional Reading:
These brochures and fact sheets can be
obtained by calling NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD
or visiting http:^www.epa.gov/lead.
Buying A Home? Here's What You Need
To Know About Lead-Based Paint, EPA
brochure, EPA publication number
EPA 747-F-99-001 (January 2000).
Lead In Your Home: A Parent's Reference
Guide, EPA brochure, EPA publication
number EPA 747-B-99-003 (May 1999).
Protect Your Family From Lead In Your
Home, EPA/CPSC/HUD brochure, EPA
publication number EPA 747-K-99-001
(April 1999).
Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling
Your Home, EPA brochure, EPA publication
number EPA 747-K-97-001 (September
1997).
Runs Better Unleaded: How to Protect Your
Children from Lead Poisoning, EPA brochure,
EPA publication number EPA 747-F-99-005A
(August 1999).
Selecting a Laboratory for Lead Analysis: The
EPA National Lead Laboratory Accreditation
Program, EPA brochure, EPA publication
number EPA 747-F-99-002 (April 1999).
The Lead-Based Paint Pre-Renovation
Education Rule, EPA handbook, EPA
publication number EPA 747-B-99-004
(September 1999).
Disclosure of Lead-Based Paint Hazards
in Housing, EPA/HUD fact sheet, EPA
publication number EPA 747-F-96-002
(March 1996).
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