Testing for Lead Paint

Testing procedure

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Dust sample

Wipe the test area in a backward “S” pattern with a moist cloth, picking up dust to use as a sample.

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Test kit

Inexpensive lead test kits are available at most home centers and hardware stores, and are a good way to get a quick answer. However, before remodeling bring in a pro to look at your house.

Most lead-based paint poisoning in children occurs by exposure to lead dust, and testing dust will determine if you have a lead hazard you have to deal with. The test kits, available at home centers and hardware stores, include step-by-step instructions for collecting the samples, bags for the samples, plastic gloves and an envelope to send the samples to an EPA-certified lab for analysis. Results, mailed back in about two weeks, will tell if the samples contained a potentially harmful level of lead dust. If you have a dust hazard, contact your local health department for remediation guidelines.

However, before remodeling or otherwise disturbing painted surfaces, it's best to have a professional lead inspection and risk assessment done. This will tell if your home has lead-based paint, where it's located and if it's hazardous. Keep in mind that lead paint itself is not necessarily hazardous, especially if the surface is in good condition and the paint isn't flaking or being worn down (along sliding windows, for example). Find certified inspection firms through your state health department or the Environmental Protection Agency.