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How do you know if there is lead paint in your home?

Lead paint can be either stabilized or abated. Stabilization is a way to temporarily control lead hazards, without removing them altogether. Loosened or chipped leaded paint is carefully removed and the area is primed and re-sealed with conventional non-leaded paint. However frequent monitoring maintenance is required to prevent lead hazards from re-appearing. No special training is necessary to stabilize lead paint. 

Abatement is complete removal of lead paint and may require the use of contractors certified in lead abatement methods. Abatement of lead hazards can also be achieved by removing the affected building components, such as old window frames, porch railings, cabinets and wood trim. However, replacements can be costly, carpentry skills are usually necessary, and if there is a government-issued abatement order involved, then use of an EPA certified lead abatement contractor will be required.

Lead abatement costs an average of $15,000 or more per housing unit to make the premises lead-free. All windows must be replaced as well as old exterior siding. Interior woodwork, such as window trim and baseboards must be replaced or completely stripped of all old paint, and repainted with durable lead-free paint. Less costly measures are still allowed and while they might make a house temporarily lead-safe, they do not eliminate lead. Ongoing vigilance by a property owner is necessary to protect against re-emerging lead hazards, especially if old paint is merely covered with new paint. All paint will eventually peel, and if lead paint is hidden below the surface, children are still endangered when painted surfaces are allowed to deteriorate.

Leaded paint can also be encapsulated or enclosed. Enclosing is the process of covering leaded paint surfaces with rigid and durable materials such a sheetrock, vinyl siding or metal coil stock. This method may be useful for large surfaces such as walls, ceilings, window troughs, and exterior siding and trim. However, if there has been a government-issued abatement order, federal regulations require that an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) certified contractor install any permanent enclosures intended to satisfy an abatement order. Encapsulation is the process of applying a specialized liquid coating that bonds to the lead paint and form a durable, flexible covering. This method also requires the use of an EPA-certified lead abatement contractor.

You can control lead dust in your home with careful cleaning. All horizontal surfaces, radiators, and floor grates should be washed with a phosphate detergent solution, and followed by a clean water rinse. Separate buckets, sponges, and cloths should be used for the washing and rinsing water. More specialized cleaning techniques, including use of hepa-filtered vacuums, to control or remove dust is generally necessary following lead abatement or renovation activities. The County of Monroe (Rochester, N.Y.) has begun including dust wipe sampling in all residential lead investigations. See: Website for Alliance for Healthy Homes at www.afhh.org .

If you are interested in finding a contractor skilled in lead abatement, look in your local telephone directory or visit the National Lead Service Providers' Listing System: www.leadlisting.org ; in Western New York: www.leadconnections.org