Test Old Paint In Your House For Toxic Lead Additives

The best way to test for lead is to send paint samples to a lab for testing with an XRF machine that tests all the layers.

By Duane Johnson

From The Family Handyman

Q   I want to refinish the woodwork in my house, which was built in 1970. Is there any danger of lead paint?

Tom Dierberger, Milwaukee, WI

A   Yes. Lead was banned from paint in 1978, and the table below summarizes the approximate number of homes built before 1978 that are at risk. Before you remodel or disturb any paint, test it for lead. For small areas, you could use a lead test kit that’s available at paint stores. However, the Environmental Protection Agency currently does not recommend them. Studies show these kits are not reliable enough to tell the difference between high and low levels of lead. Sending paint chip samples to a lab for tests is better. (Contact your public health department for information on how to collect samples.) But keep in mind that testing one or two spots won’t tell the whole story for your house. Chances are that different parts of your home have been painted many times with many types of paint.

The best test is done by an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) machine that can instantly give a percentage of lead read out of all the layers of paint. Get a complete picture by testing a variety of surfaces, both inside and outside. An XRF test, conducted by a qualified operator, will cost $300 to $500. For more testing details, contact your local public health department.

For more details on lead paint, visit www.hud.gov/offices/lead.