Overview

Lead has been used in the US for many years in consumer products.  In the 1920’s it was introduced as an additive in gasoline to increase engine efficiency in large non-diesel engines.  At about the same time, it was being added to paint because of its ability to increase material durability, speed-up drying, enhance aesthetic appearance and resist moisture intrusion/corrosion.  This last property is the reason lead is also found in plumbing, thus affecting drinking water.

 

Health Effects

However, lead is a highly toxic metal.  Ingestion of lead into the body affects the central nervous system.  Its effects range from fatigue to induced coma and even death.  In adults, it may affect the reproduction system.  Children under the age of six are at higher risk because of their developing bodies.  Children suffering from elevated blood lead levels may experience loss of hearing, stunt growth, learning disabilities and delayed development.  The primary contributor to elevated blood lead levels in children is lead-based paint (LBP) found in residential dwellings.  These facts prompted regulatory agencies, to reduce, and in many cases, ban its use in these products. 

 

Regulatory Impact

In the early 1970’s, the level of lead in fuel was reduced, and by the mid 1980’s, it was completely banned in on-road vehicles (lead is still used in aviation fuel).   In 1978 the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned paint for residential use with lead content above 1 milligram per square centimeter (mg/cm2) or 0.5% by weight (5,000 ppm).  Lead in paint is still used by several branches of the military and industry.  The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) has established more stringent thresholds for lead in paint down to 0.7 mg/cm2 or 0.06% by weight (600 ppm).

 

Special Considerations

Like asbestos-containing materials (ACM), surfaces coated with LBP do not pose a hazard unless they have been disturbed or damaged.  Evidence of cracking, peeling, chalking or chipping are signs of deterioration and should be addressed in a timely manner.  Other places to look out for are friction or impact surfaces.  These are building components that are in constant ‘frictional’ or ‘impacting’ force on one another, such as window sills and sashes or doors and door jambs.  These impact surfaces may disturb painted surfaces creating a lead-contaminated dust hazard.  Additionally, planned renovations affecting surfaces coated with LBP may create a potential lead hazard exposure.

 

The only way to confirm the content of lead in paint is to have a certified professional perform a lead-based paint investigation.

 

Common LBP Questions:

 

What is the best method of sampling LBP?

Currently, only two methods of sampling are approved by HUD and EPA for the detection of lead in paint.  One is paint chip sampling; the other is by use of an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrum Analyzer.  The use of an XRF is non-destructive and may be more cost effective.

 

How reliable are the lead check swab test kits?

This method of testing may serve as a “screening” or qualitative means of detection.  The swab kit may not give an accurate quantity of lead content on painted surfaces.  Additionally, it may not detect lead in deeper layers of paint.  Keep in mind that it is not a method approved by the EPA or HUD as an accurate means of quantitative detection.

 

Which properties have a higher probability of containing LBP?

Studies performed by agencies such as HUD and the EPA have discovered that approximately 75% of housing built in the US prior to 1978 has detectable amounts of lead above regulatory thresholds.  Properties with a higher risk are those constructed prior to WWII (Victorian-style Homes).  However, approximately 60% of housing built between 1940 and 1979 may contain detectable amounts of lead in paint exceeding threshold limits.