Adding lead to paint made the paint stronger, dry faster, and moisture resistant.
Approximately three-quarters of the nation's housing built before 1978 contains lead-based paint, stain, or varnish. When properly managed and maintained, lead-containing building materials pose minimal risk. Lead-based paints were banned for residential use in 1978 due to health concerns, which means homes built after this date are unlikely to contain lead paint, stains, and varnishes on building materials. But if you go antiquing and buy a vintage mantle, corner cabinet, and build it into your new home you may have brought lead into a post-1978 home.
Lead becomes a concern when paint, varnishes, and stains deteriorate through peeling, cracking, or chalking. As the paint, varnish, and stains break down, it create lead chips and dust. High-friction surfaces—such as windows, doors, floors, porches, stairways, and cabinets—are particularly prone to generating lead dust through normal wear and tear. While intact lead coating materials are not inherently dangerous, any activity that creates lead-contaminated dust or fumes, including sanding, scraping, or friction, can create exposure risks.
When Lead Testing is Necessary
Homes built before 1978 should be tested for lead-based paint, stains, and varnishes, particularly if you're planning any renovation, repair, or remodeling work. Testing identifies where lead is present so you can make informed decisions about how to manage it safely. If paint appears to be in good condition, knowing the location of lead-based paint helps you monitor those areas and prevents accidental disturbance during future projects.
Homes built in 1978 or later generally do not require lead testing, as lead-based paint was banned for residential use that year. However, if you have reason to believe older painted materials or components were incorporated into your newer home, testing may still be warranted.
Lead Exposure Pathways
Understanding how lead exposure occurs helps you prevent it. Lead-coated surfaces in good condition present minimal risk, but once lead-containing material separates from building surfaces through deterioration or disturbance, an exposure pathway is created. Children under six years old are most vulnerable to lead exposure because:
- They may chew on surfaces such as windowsills and door edges
- They can ingest flaking paint chips
- Their natural hand-to-mouth behaviors increase the likelihood of ingesting lead dust
- Lead can have a sweet taste, which may attract children
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Both children and adults are exposed to lead primarily through ingestion or inhalation of lead dust and fumes. Common sources include deteriorating lead paint, contaminated water and soil, certain toys and jewelry, and some imported candies or medicines. Adults face additional exposure risks through occupations and hobbies involving lead-based products, such as construction work, pottery, metalworking, or firearms handling.
Renovation and Remodeling Considerations
Renovation and demolition activities can release lead into a home's environment, which is why testing building materials in pre-1978 homes is essential before beginning any project. Federal law requires contractors performing renovation, repair, or painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes built before 1978 to be EPA-certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. If you're planning a DIY project in a pre-1978 home, consider hiring a professional to test first. This allows you to either hire a lead-safe certified contractor or take appropriate precautions if you proceed yourself.
Lead Exposure Prevention
Preventing lead exposure focuses on maintaining your home and establishing good household practices:
- Ensure children cannot access peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint
- Maintain all painted building materials in good condition to prevent deterioration
- Regularly wet-mop floors and horizontal surfaces, as household dust can contain lead particles
- Pay special attention to windowsills and window wells, which tend to accumulate more dust
- Keep all surfaces clean through consistent maintenance
- Wash children's hands frequently, especially before meals
- Wash toys and pacifiers regularly
Managing Lead Paint as a Homeowner
If testing reveals lead-based paint in your home, don't panic—lead paint that is intact and in good condition can be safely managed with proper maintenance and awareness.
When Lead Paint is Intact and in Good Condition:
- Regular inspection is your best tool. Check painted surfaces periodically for any signs of wear, chipping, or peeling, especially in high-traffic areas
- Maintain painted surfaces by addressing any minor damage promptly before it becomes a larger problem
- Clean regularly using wet-mopping and damp cloths to capture any dust. Avoid dry sweeping or dusting, which can spread particles into the air
- Control moisture by fixing leaks and addressing condensation, as moisture accelerates paint deterioration
- Monitor friction surfaces like windows and doors more closely, and consider applying fresh coats of non-lead paint over intact lead paint to provide an additional protective barrier (this is called "encapsulation")
- Educate your household about which surfaces contain lead paint so everyone can avoid creating dust through activities like furniture rubbing against walls
When Lead Paint Shows Signs of Deterioration:
- Address the issue promptly before it worsens. Small areas of chipping or peeling should be stabilized
- Hire a lead-safe certified contractor for any repairs or renovation work in areas with lead paint. These professionals are trained in containing dust and preventing exposure
- Never attempt to sand, scrape, or remove lead paint yourself without proper training, equipment, and containment measures
- Consider encapsulation or enclosure methods, which cover lead paint with new materials rather than removing it—often a safer and more cost-effective solution
LBP Survey
If you question if lead-containing building materials are in your home, a Lead-Based Paint Survey will assist you in knowing for sure. Surveys are like LBP inspections in that an electronic lead paint analyzer is used on-site to test for the presence of lead. Curren utilizes a SciAps X-550 X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Lead Paint Analyzer to determine the lead content of the painted surfaces. The XRF will determine if lead exists on the component tested (within seconds); if the test is positive, the condition of the component is evaluated. Even if lead paint is detected via the XRF, the condition of that paint will determine if further action is warranted.