United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides,
and Toxic Substances
7101
EPA 747-K-98-001
October 1998
<&EPA Testing Your Home for Lead
in Paint, Dust, and Soil
4
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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 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 information you will get from each approach.
The second section answers specific questions about how paint, soil,
and dust sampling are conducted by the 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. You can find
out by calling the National Lead Information Center: 1-800-424-LEAD.
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For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328
ISBN 0-16-049831-7
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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
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? 10
What Do The Results Of Soil Testing Mean? 11
What Are Composite Samples? 1 1
Section 3: Miscellaneous Questions Frequently Asked About Testing
What Are Home Test Kits? 13
Does ERA Recommend Test Kits For Paint, Dust, or Soil Testing? 13
What About Testing For Lead In Water? 13
What About Testing For Lead In Furniture, Dish Ware and Mini-Blinds? 14
Contacts For Further Information 15
Additional Reading 16
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5ecf/on I
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 6 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 6 and younger have been
linked to nervous system damage, behavior and
learning problems, and slow growth. Testing can
tell you whether there is lead-based paint or a
lead 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 renovation, remodeling, or
repainting, you should have testing done by a certi-
fied lead professional on any painted surfaces that
will be removed, disturbed, scraped or sanded
before starting the work. The EPA brochure
Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your
Home (see page 15) provides guidelines for reno-
vating or remodeling your home.
III. You are a renter or buying a
home.
The new 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 residen-
tial 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 hazards, and the more important it is
to have the home tested.
WW
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 inspection
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 includes:
• An inventory of all painted surfaces,
including the outside as well as inside of
the home. 'Painted surfaces' include all
surfaces coated with paint, shellac,
varnish, stain, coating or even paint
covered by wall paper.
• Selection and testing of each type of
painted surface.
Then you should get a report listing the paint-
ed 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 hazard to
occupants. To make sure, you may want a differ-
ent testing approach (either a risk assessment or
hazard screen).
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Typical painted surfaces tested during an inspection:
Inside the home
BBB
Baseboards
Built-in cabinets
Ceilings
Chair rails
Doors
Fireplaces
Floors
Heating units
Railings
Shelves
Stairs
Walls
Windows
Outside the home
Chimneys
Door trim
Fascia, soffits
Fences
Gutters, downspouts
Handrails
Lattice work
Mail boxes
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.
• 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 Risk
Assessor.
• Testing bare soil from play areas, the
building foundation and possibly other
areas around the home.
• Water testing is optional.
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 hazards. New hazards may arise
if lead-based paint is disturbed, damaged, or
deteriorates.
If you want to know which painted surfaces
contain lead-based paint and whether any lead-
based hazards are present, you will need a combi-
nation inspection and risk assessment.
III. Lead Hazard Screen
A lead hazard screen is a limited version of a
risk assessment:
• Any painted surfaces in a deteriorated
condition are tested.
• Two sets of dust samples are collected in
a lead hazard screen. One set represents
the floors and the other set represents 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 recommendation 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 cannot
conclude there is no lead-based paint in the home.
A lead hazard screen is only recommended for
residences that are generally in good condition,
with little visible dust, and with paint in good con-
dition (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 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 Risk
Assessor.
Inspectors can perform only lead-based
paint inspections.
Risk Assessors can perform both risk
assessments and lead hazard screens. A
person who is both an Inspector and a
Risk Assessor may also do a combination
of an inspection and a risk assessment.
Many states have requirements that Inspectors
and Risk Assessors be certified by the state. If yours
does, be sure to hire a state-certified professional.
If your state does not have a certification
program, try to hire someone who is certified in
another state.
If you cannot find someone with a state
certification, check with the local public health
department for a list of qualified Inspectors and
Risk Assessors.
If there is no public health department list
covering your area, try to hire an individual who
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has completed an EPA model course for Inspector
and/or Risk Assessor. He or she will have a cer-
tificate documenting course completion.
The EPA pamphlet Finding a Qualified Lead
Professional For Your Home provides guidelines
for checking a professional's background and
experience. See page 15 for details on ordering
informational materials.
A nationwide list of trained lead professionals,
referred to as the Lead Listing, can be accessed
through the Internet at: www.leadlisting.org. A state
list can be obtained by calling 1-888-532-3547.
What Will The Testing Report Tell Me?
That will depend on which approach has
been used: inspection, risk assessment, or
lead hazard screen. Request a sample
report before the testing is done so that
you may see what information will be
provided and how it will be presented.
You should also request that actual lead
values be provided in the report (not just
'positive' or 'negative' classifications).
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
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 Risk Assessor will take into account the
test results and the results of the visual inspection
to decide if there are any lead hazards and how to
control them. Lead-based paint hazards identified
include lead-based paint in deteriorated condition
or on surfaces mouthed by a child. In addition,
house dust or bare soil with hazardous lead levels
will be identified. Refer to the EPA Fact Sheet
Identifying Lead Hazards in Your Home as a way
to understand the report of the Risk Assessor.
The Risk Assessor will provide a list of
options for controlling each hazard. Options may
include both interim controls and abatement.
• Interim actions - These are short term or
temporary actions. Examples include rec-
ommendations to repair deteriorated sur-
faces 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 Risk Assessor will also identify the
probable source of the paint deterioration 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 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 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.
The EPA and U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Fact Sheet Disclosure of Lead-Based
Paint Hazards in Housing explains the
responsibilities of sellers, landlords, and
their agents when selling or leasing a
home.
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Be aware that there may be state or other
requirements for action based on the test results.
You can call the National Lead Information Center
at 1-800-424-LEAD for information about what is
required in your locality before you start testing.
If you decide to abate lead hazards, it is not
recommended that you do the work yourself.
Abatement activities must be done following care-
ful procedures to prevent contamination of the
home with lead dust. To be safe, hire a professional
lead-based paint contractor (a professional who can
do lead-based paint related abatement). Dust
samples should be collected to check the
thoroughness of the work.
Note that you are not under any obligation to
hire the same firm that did the testing. In fact, it
would be better to have one firm conduct all test-
ing 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.
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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, 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 Inspector may not test all
three windows, because they appear to be
the same.
In a similar fashion, the Inspector will go
through every room and test the different 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
swingsets 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.
I. Portable X-Ray Fluorescence
Analyzers (XRFs)
A portable XRF measures lead in paint,
generally without damaging the paint. However,
readings from some XRFs are affected by the
base material (known as the "substrate") under-
neath the paint, such as wood, plaster, or metal.
For these cases, the 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 qualified lead-based paint professional
follows good testing practices, XRF analyzers pro-
vide 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 household
may be asked to stay out of rooms behind the
surfaces being tested.
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II. Paint Chip Sampling and
Laboratory Analysis
Paint chip samples are collected for laboratory
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 protect occupants.
After collecting the paint chip sample, the pro-
fessional will repair the scraped area so that adja-
cent paint will not peel or flake off. Any paint chips
or dust from the sampling should be cleaned up by
the professional to ensure no lead dust is left behind.
Paint chip samples should be analyzed for lead
by a laboratory recognized by EPA as proficient for
testing lead in paint. EPA has established the
National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program
(NLLAP) to ensure that laboratory analyses are
done accurately. A laboratory on the list is recog-
nized as proficient for testing for lead in whichever
of the three sample types (paint, dust, or soil) the
laboratory has qualified. Be sure that any paint chip
samples from your home are analyzed by a labora-
tory on the NLLAP list for paint. A current list of
NLLAP (EPA recognized) laboratories can be
obtained by calling 1-800-424-LEAD.
While paint chip sampling followed by labora-
tory analysis is generally more accurate than XRF
testing, sampling and analysis take longer to com-
plete 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 qualified 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 measurement
classifies paint as lead-based when there is 1.0
milligram of lead per square centimeter of painted
surface or greater (1 mg/cm2). An XRF analyzer
typically reads in mg/cm2, meaning 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.
• 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 mathe-
matically the same as 5,000 milligrams of
lead per kilogram of paint chip (5,000
mg/kg), or 5,000 micrograms of lead per
gram of paint chip (5,000 ng/g), or 5,000
parts per million lead (5,000 ppm).
• If the laboratory report is expressed as a
weight of lead per unit area of painted sur-
face, 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.
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Federal definition of lead-based paint depends on how test results are reported
How Test Results are Reported
If results are reported as percent (or equivalent)
If results are reported as milligrams per square
centimeter
Federal Definition of Lead-Based Paint
Paint has greater than or equal to 0.5%
(or 5,000 ug/g or 5,000 mg/kg or
5,000 ppm) lead
Paint has greater than or equal to 1 mg/cm2 lead
Unfortunately, there is no universal definition
of lead-based paint. Some state and local govern-
ments 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 qualified lead-
based paint professional (Inspector or 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 government
regulates (see "What Do The Results Of
Paint Testing Mean?"). If lead is present
in the paint, lead dust can be released
when the paint deteriorates, or is dis-
turbed during remodeling, renovation,
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 regulation in 1978,
lead exposure during remodeling and
renovation is not as much a concern in
newer homes.
The EPA brochure Reducing Lead Hazards When
Remodeling Your Home provides guidelines for
renovation and remodeling your home. See page 15
for more information on how to order the brochure.
t*: 9**.
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How Are Dust Samples Collected And
Analyzed?
The most common method for dust
collection is a surface wipe sample. Most
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 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. There are currently no
federal standards for dust samples collected with
vacuum techniques.
The lead-based paint professional should send
dust samples to an NLLAP (EPA recognized)
laboratory that is proficient for dust analysis.
(A current list of NLLAP laboratories can be
obtained by calling 1-800-424-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 lead-based paint professional will pro-
vide guidance in interpreting the results of the
dust testing. Federal guidelines for acceptable
dust lead levels are discussed in the EPA Fact
Sheet Identifying Lead Hazards In Your Home.
See page 15 for details on ordering information.
I I
UJ11111
imir ^SS»***
I How Are Soil Samples Collected And
Analyzed?
Soil samples are collected from bare soil
areas (soil with no grass or other cover-
ing) near your home where children play
and from bare soil areas near the house
foundation or dripline. 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 should be sent to an NLLAP
(EPA recognized) laboratory that is proficient in
soil analysis. (A current list of NLLAP laborato-
ries can be obtained by calling 1-800-424-LEAD.)
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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 example,
a soil sample result may be 300 parts per
million. This is written 300 ppm.
The lead-based paint professional will help
you interpret the results of the soil testing.
Federal guidelines for acceptable soil lead levels
are discussed in the EPA Fact Sheet, Identifying
Lead Hazards In Your Home. See page 15 for
details on ordering informational materials.
What Are Composite Samples?
Composite samples are combinations of
individual samples analyzed together in a
laboratory to obtain a single average result.
Both dust and soil samples may be compos-
ited. 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
composited, 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 samples is that
information is not available for each room (or
location) from which samples were collected.
The Risk Assessor will interpret composite sam-
ple results, if any. The advantage of composite sam-
ples 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 chemical test kits
which are designed to check for lead in
paint, soil, and dust (and in some cases
water, dishes, glasses, and ceramics).
Lead is detected by a reaction that causes
a color change when chemicals in the kits
are exposed to lead. In one type of kit,
the chemical solution turns pink, rose, or
red to indicate the presence of lead. In
another kit, the solution turns gray, black,
or brown to indicate the presence of lead.
Does EPA Recommend Test Kits For
Paint, Dust, or Soil Testing ?
No. EPA does not currently recommend
test kits for testing for lead in paint, dust,
or soil. Studies show the kits cannot reli-
ably discriminate between high and low
levels of lead. At this time, the kits are
not recommended for testing performed
by either homeowners or professionals.
If test kits are used, follow-up testing by a lead-
based paint professional using EPA recognized
methods is strongly recommended.
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 hot rou-
tinely conducted by lead-based paint test-
ing professionals, but you may ask for it
as an optional service. If you would like
information about testing for lead in
water, call the EPA Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
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What About Testing For Lead In
Furniture, Dish Ware 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. An Inspector or Risk Assessor
may do this testing for you.
Lead may also be present in some glassware
(for example, lead crystal) and in glazes found on
ceramic wares. The lead may be absorbed into the
drink and food stored in these items. Contact the
National Lead Information Center Clearinghouse
at 1-800-424-LEAD or the Food and Drug
Administration Food Information Line at
1-800-FDA-4010 for information on testing
glassware and ceramics.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) has issued a warning that some mini-
blinds may contain lead. For further information,
contact the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
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For Further Information:
Topic
Agency
Contact Information
Testing ceramic ware and
related items
Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
Food Information Line
Phone: 1-800-FDA-4010
Information on lead in
mini-blinds
Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC)
Phone: 1-800-638-2772
Internet: www.cpsc.gov
List of trained lead
professionals
Lead Listing
Phone: 1-888-532-3547
Internet:
www.leadlisting.org
State lead programs and
regulations;
Current list of NLLAP
laboratories;
Lead brochures and fact sheets;
General lead-based paint
information
National Lead Information
Center and Clearinghouse
Phone: 1 -800-424-LEAD
Or
TDD-800-526-5456
(for the hearing impaired)
Or
Internet:
www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.htm
Select lead-related web sites
EPA
HUD
Internet:
www.epa.gov/lead
www.hud.gov/lead/leahome.html
Information on testing
drinking water for lead
EPA Drinking Water Hotline
1 -800-426-4791
Information on state lead
professional and contractor
certification and licensing
EPA Regional Offices:
Region 1 (Boston, MA)
Region 2 (Edison, NJ)
Region 3 (Philadelphia, PA)
Region 4 (Atlanta, GA)
Region 5 (Chicago, IL)
Region 6 (Dallas, TX)
Region 7 (Kansas City, MO)
Region 8 (Denver, CO)
Region 9 (San Francisco, CA)
Region 10 (Seattle, WA)
1-617-
1-908-
1-215-
1 -404-
1-312-
1-214-
1-913-
1-303-
1-415-
1-206-
565-3836
321-6671
814-2084
562-8998
886-7836
665-7577
551-7518
312-6021
744-1094
553-1985
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Additional Reading:
These brochures and fact sheets can be
obtained by calling the National Lead Information
Center Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD.
Lead In Your Home: A Parent's Reference
Guide, EPA brochure, EPA publication number
EPA 747-B-98-002 (June 1998).
Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home,
EPA/CPSC brochure, EPA publication number
EPA 747-K-94-001 (May 1995).
Finding A Qualified Lead Professional For Your
Home, EPA brochure, EPA publication number
EPA 747-F-96-006 (November, 1996).
Identifying Lead Hazards In Your Home, EPA
Fact Sheet, EPA publication number 747-F-96-
007 (November 1996).
Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your
Home, EPA brochure, EPA publication number
EPA-747-K-97-001 (September 1997).
Disclosure of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in
Housing, EPA/HUD Fact Sheet, EPA publication
number EPA 747-F-96-002 (March 1996).
How To Check For Lead Hazards In Your Home,
HUD/EPA/Consumer Federation of America
brochure, (no dale).
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