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  Lead-Based Paint

Lead-based paint is paint containing lead, a heavy metal. Lead oxides such as white lead (as lead carbonate), red lead (one of the oldest pigments known), and lead chromates (multicolored) were added to paint as pigment and to speed drying, increase durability, retain a fresh appearance and resist moisture which caused corrosion. Prior to 1940, lead was in almost every paint, and paints contained up to 50% lead.
  Due to its toxicity, paint containing more than 0.06% lead (600 parts per million) was banned for residential use in 1978 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Code of Federal Regulations CFR 1303).

After 1978, the implementation of regulations limiting lead content in paint led non-compliant paint manufacturers to replace lead with other additives such as titanium dioxide, a white pigment of hiding power superior to lead, and barium sulfate.

Where is lead-based paint found ?

The year of construction for a residence or commercial building is the first clue as to the likelihood that lead may be present in the paint. Buildings older than 1940 almost certainly contain lead paint, buildings built between 1960 and 1978 may contain lead paint, while buildings built after 1978 are less likely to have lead-based paint.

Significant lead-based paint is still used in industry and by the military. For example, lead-based paint is sometimes used to paint roadways and parking lot lines.

Lead chromate pigments in colors of yellow, orange or green (when mixed with a blue pigment) were also quite prevalent during the same period of use as lead oxide. Lead chromate paint is still used for safety paints, such as the paint on traffic lines or fire hydrants.

Lead-based paint does not look significantly different from non-lead paint. Likewise, lead-contaminated dust or dirt cannot be differentiated from regular dust or dirt. Analytical testing is necessary to determine the presence of lead-based paint or lead contaminated dust.

What "exposure" to lead-based paint means

Exposure to lead-based paint typically occurs through ingestion (by mouth) or inhalation (breathing dust into the lungs).

Ingestion (eating) - infants and toddlers are the primary risk concern for three reasons:

1) Dust accumulates on the floor, and this age group spends most of their time crawling on the floor.

2) Infants and toddlers tend to suck and/or chew on their fingers and other objects that may be contaminated by lead-based paint dust, and

3) INfants and toddlers are much more susceptible to lead poisoning than adults due to their small size. The amount of lead the size of a pinhead is enough to give a small child lead-poisoning.

 One common misconception related to lead-based paint is that the most common cause of poisoning is eating leaded paint chips. However, the most common pathway of childhood lead exposure is through ingestion of lead dust through normal hand-to-mouth contact during which children swallow lead-contaminated dust created from damaged paint or dust generated during remodeling or painting.

Inhalation (breathing) - both adults and children are susceptible to inhalation of lead-based paint dust.

Health problems associated with lead-based paint exposure

Lead can cause a wide variety of health problems including flu-like symptoms, nervous system damage, hearing loss, stunted growth, kidney damage, reduced IQ, abdominal cramping, anemia, palsy or shaking, attention disorders, and delayed development. In adults, lead can cause reproductive problems in adult men.

How do I find out if I have lead-based paint ?

If you suspect you may have lead-based paint in your home, office, or building, there are three actions that can be taken to determine whether you do have lead-based paint:

1) Lead-Based Paint Survey - a specialist certified by the California Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) will inspect your home, office or building and sample paint in various locations by collecting a small, physical samples, or using a portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF). The physical samples will be analyzed by a California state certified laboratory, and the results will be discussed in a Lead-Based Paint Survey Report, delivered to you within approximately one to two weeks after the survey.

2) Lead-Based Paint Risk Assessment - a certified specialist will inspect your home, office or building, and look for areas where paint has become damaged by friction, water, vibration, etc. A limited number of samples will be collected, as compared to the Survey. For example, friction points are locations such as in window frames in contact with the sash that endure repeated rubbing between the two surfaces containing lead-based paint. Over time, small paint chips and dust can accumulate on the sill, the floor, and other areas of the house depending on the location of the friction point.

A comparative risk assessment will be discussed in a Lead-Based Paint Risk Assessment Report, delivered to you within approximately one to two weeks after the survey. The Risk Assessment only looks at potential risk of damaged painted surfaces. It is not a comprehensive Survey, and will not eliminate the presence or location of all potential lead-based paint in your building.

3) A combined Lead-Based Paint Survey and Risk Assessment - this is the most comprehensive option and combines the full sampling survey of the Lead-Based Survey with the Risk Assessment. The results will be discussed in a Lead-Based Paint Survey / Risk Assessment Report, delivered to you within approximately one to two weeks after the Survey / Assessment.

 What can I do about lead-based paint in my building ?

It is important to keep in mind that only lead-based paint that has been damaged pose an immediate health risk. Lead-based paints that are not subject to water, wind, vibration, friction or other disturbance do not pose an immediate health risk, because paint chips or dust are not created. However, it is very important to deal with lead-based paint once it is identified.

Four solutions are used to reduce the health risks of lead-based paint:

1) Temporary stabilization - painting over damaged paint surfaces,

2) Sealing - sealing of lead-based painted surfaces with specially formulated sealants,

2) Enclosure - the construction of a physical barrier over the lead-based painted areas, and

3) Abatement (removal) - the physical removal of the lead-based paint.

 The last three solutions should only be performed by qualified workers trained in the removal of lead-based paint. Qualight Environmental can determine which solution is the best for your situation, and provide services for all four solutions.

How much does a Lead-Based Paint Survey and / or Risk Assessment cost ?

The cost to perform a Lead-Based Paint Survey and / or Risk Assessment is based on the age of the building, location, size, and number of buildings on the Property. Please contact us to discuss the different options available.

Please follow this link to contact us for a QUOTE REQUEST, or contact us by phone at 310.383.1809.
     
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