What is Lead-Based Paint?

Lead paint or lead-based paint is paint containing lead.

If your home was built before 1978, there is a good chance it has lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-containing paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead from paint, including lead-contaminated dust, is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning.

Lead paint is still present in millions of homes, sometimes under layers of newer paint. If the paint is in good shape, the lead paint is usually not a problem. However, deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp) is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

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Why Choose Preemptive Strike?

We are US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified to provide Lead-Based Paint (LBP) inspections and Risk Assessments.

Projects Completed
Inspected Buildings
Benefited Clients

Services Provided

Inspections

  • General Lead-Based Paint - Lead-Based Paint Inspection
  • General Lead-Based Paint - Risk Assessment
  • HUD/EPA LBP Inspections
  • HUD /EPA LBP Risk Assessment
  • Pre Renovation
  • Pre Demolition
  • Post Abatement Clearance
  • Due Diligence (Pre Purchase, Refinance, etc.)

General Testing

  • Air Testing
  • Surface Testing
  • Lead Water Testing

General Services

  • Project Consulting
  • Project Oversight
  • Project Coordination
  • Project Risk Management
  • Operation & Maintenance Plans (O&M Plans)
  • Project Hazard Assessments
  • Peer Review

Why is it Important?

Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. Children six years old and younger are most susceptible to the effects of lead.

Children

Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in:

  • Behavior and learning problems
  • Lower IQ and Hyperactivity
  • Slowed growth
  • Hearing Problems
  • Anemia

In rare cases, ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma and even death.

Pregnant Women

Lead can accumulate in our bodies over time, where it is stored in bones along with calcium. During pregnancy, lead is released from the mother's bones along with calcium and can pass from the mother exposing the fetus or the breastfeeding infant to lead. This can result in serious effects to the developing fetus and infant, including:

Cause the baby to be born too early or too small;
Hurt the baby’s brain, kidney’s, and nervous system;
Increase the likelihood of learning or behavioral problems; and put the mother at risk for miscarriage.

Facts Library

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to humans and animals causing of health effects.

 

Where is Lead Found?

Lead can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes. Much of our exposure comes from human activities including the use of fossil fuels including past use of leaded gasoline, some types of industrial facilities, and past use of lead-based paint in homes. Lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products found in and around our homes, including paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics.

 

Lead in Paint

As pigment, lead(II) chromate (Pb Cr O4, ""chrome yellow""), Lead(II,IV) oxide, (Pb3 O4, ""red lead""), and lead(II) carbonate (Pb C O3, ""white lead"") are the most common forms.[1] Lead is added to paint to accelerate drying, increase durability, maintain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. It is one of the main health and environmental hazards associated with paint. In some countries, lead continues to be added to paint intended for domestic use,[2] whereas countries such as the U.S. and the UK have regulations prohibiting this, although lead paint may still be found in older properties painted prior to the introduction of such regulations. Although lead has been banned from household paints in the United States since 1978, paint used in road markings may still contain it. Alternatives such as water-based, lead-free traffic paint are readily available, and many states and federal agencies have changed their purchasing contracts to buy these instead.

Helpful Links

EPA uses the CDC data to show trends on blood lead levels in children in America’s Children and the Environment.

Lead Exposure Data
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics monitors blood lead levels in the United States. Get information on the number of children with elevated blood lead levels, and number and percentage of children tested for lead in your area.