Why Testing for Lead Paint is Important

Lead can be a serious danger.  In 2008 the EPA published the Lead Renovation,  Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, 'which, among other things, established performance recognition criteria for lead test kits for use as an option to determine if regulated lead-based paint is not present in target housing and child-occupied facilities. The use of an EPA-recognized lead test kit, when used by a trained professional, can reliably determine that regulated lead-based paint is not present by virtue of a negative result."

The Dangers of Lead

Lead poisoning is a concern for both children and adults. It can cause:

• permanent problems with health, learning and behavior in children
• high blood pressure, kidney damage and fertility problems in adults

High Risk Areas

Where should you test for lead in your home?

• Areas with chipped and peeling paint (ex. window troughs or wells, sills, on radiators, walls, doors, etc.)
• Soil (ex. around the outside of your house, garage, fence, homes near busy roadways, etc.)
• Water (ex. plumbing with lead or copper pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, etc.)

Why Should You Target These Areas? What is the Risk?

• Old and deteriorating paint creates loose paint chips and lead dust. Swallowing such materials can cause lead poisoning. Further, lead dust can easily get on a child's hands, toys or baby bottles, increasing their chances of lead poisoning.
• Soil, in which lead has been deposited, is a risk area. Lead can settle in soil from peeling exterior paint or leaded gasoline exhaust; once lead is in the soil, it doesn't wash away.
• If your plumbing or faucets are made of risky materials, (ex. lead or copper pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, etc.), then your household water's chances of containing lead is increased.

EPA-Recognized Lead Test Kits

EPA has recognized three lead test kits for use in complying with the RRP Rule including the D-Lead® lead test kits by ESCA Tech. Based on the results of the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) report of vendor-submitted lead test kits, EPA recognizes that when used by a Certified Renovator, the D-Lead® paint test kit manufactured by ESCA Tech, Inc., can reliably determine that regulated lead-based paint is not present on wood, ferrous metal (alloys that contain iron), or drywall and plaster surfaces.