Lead-Based Paint

Prior to being banned as a paint additive in 1978, lead was manufactured into paint for four primary reasons: pigmentation, durability, corrosion resistance, and as a mold inhibitor. Lead can also be found in primers, stains, varnishes, and shellacs.

What is a Hazard?

Not all lead-based paint is classified as a hazard.

Lead-based paint is defined as paint or other surface coating that contains lead at or above the Federal limit of 1.0 mg per square centimeter or greater than .5% by weight.

A lead-based paint hazard is any condition that causes exposure to lead from:

1. Deteriorated lead-based paint.

2. Lead-based paint that is present on chewable, impact, or friction surfaces (such as window sills, door casings, and window sashes).
3. Lead contaminated dust.
4. Lead contaminated soil.

Lead-based paint in good condition (not peeling or cracking) on a wall may not be considered a hazard unless disturbed or deteriorated in the future. Typically, lead-based paint on a friction or impact surface (such as a window or door frame) is considered a hazard regardless of the current condition, due to the dust and chips generated by everyday use.

Locating Lead-Based Paint

Home tests for lead-based paint are not considered reliable by the Federal Consumer Products Safety Commission. In a CPSC evaluation of 104 tests in 2007, more than half came back with false negatives (indicating no lead when there was actually lead in the paint).

The most reliable means of testing is the X-Ray Frequency, or XRF, test. This is a hand-held device that is able to measure the presence of lead by bouncing low-level radiation off the surface. These machines are not available for home use and must be handled by a qualified professional. A professional lead hazard risk assessment costs about $200 to $300 and will identify all lead-based paint hazards in and outside a structure.

Professional testing facilities can determine the presence of lead in a sample using mass spectrometers and chemical tests.

Of the homes built prior to 1950, nearly all (98%) contain lead-based paint. Homes built prior to 1960 represent a higher risk due to higher lead content in the paint. However, because lead paint additives were not banned until 1978, the Iowa Department of Public health recommends that in the absence of a lead hazard risk assessment conducted by a qualified professional, homeowners and contractors should ASSUME that all paint in homes built prior to 1978 contains lead. This is the safest approach to home maintenance and renovation.

In fact, a home's age and condition are the best indicators of the presence of lead-based paint hazards.

Lead Paint Safety Field Guide

This field guide gives sound and practical advice for minimizing lead-based paint exposure hazards during demolition and construction.

Lead-Safe Cleaning Practices

Congratulations, you have gone to heroic lengths to minimize creation of dust and paint chips during demolition and construction. But, you're not done yet! A thorough final cleaning is one of the most important steps when working in a home with lead-based paint. Here are the steps to follow for the final clean (source: Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance and Renovation work – US Department of Housing and Urban Development).

1. Pick Up Work Area
   • Pick up large chips with a damp paper towel.

   • Mist and then push dust into a dust pan (window wells and floor in particular).
2. Pick Up Protective Sheeting
   • Fold dirty side inwards.

   • Dispose of protective sheeting at the end of each job – DO NOT REUSE. For residential work in Des Moines, IA, this sheeting may be disposed of with household waste. If you take it to a dump, you may need to let them know it contains lead-based paint from a residential job. Check with your local officials for any additional requirements.
3. Vacuum
   • HEPA vacuum all horizontal surfaces. Work from the top down.

   • Vacuum all trim, ledges, sills, stools, molding tops, and other dusty surfaces.
   • Vacuum the floor under the work area. Use a corner tool in corners, cracks in trim, and spaces between floor boards.
   • Vacuum floor with a floor brush and carpet with a carpet tool – vacuum carpet very slowly.
4. Mist/Scrub Wall and Trim
   • Use a two-bucket system. One bucket with a detergent water for rinsing (a household detergent soap may be used) and a separate bucket for waste water. Change the rinse water often.

   • Wet rag, scrub surface (use a mister to wet surface and rag as you clean), and ring into waste water bucket.
   • Change rinse water often and use paper towels first if surfaces are very dirty. Replace the rag when it looks dirty.
   • Clean until dust and debris are removed.
5. Mop Floor
   • Use a two-bucket system. One bucket with a detergent water for rinsing (a household detergent soap may be used) and a separate squeeze bucket for waste water. Change the rinse water often.

   • Soak the mop in detergent water and mist a small area with detergent water. Scrub with mop.
   • Squeeze mop into empty bucket before rinsing in rinse water. Squeeze out and rinse again. Mop small areas at a time, and rinse often.
   • Rinse floor area. Repeat the above process using clean water in place of detergent. Use a new mop head for the rinse stage.
6. Re-Vacuum
   • Make a final, thorough pass with a HEPA vacuum.

Polk County Lead Based Paint Flyers

The Polk County Health Department has testing and remediation programs available, with a focus on families with young children. These fliers give more information on the programs and who to contact. The Polk County Lead Program is dedicated to the prevention of childhood lead poisoning by reducing lead paint hazards and increasing awareness about the dangers posed by lead.

In accordance with a new state law, children are required to be tested for elevated blood levels of lead prior to entering school.

• The test is the only way to know if your child is lead poisoned.

• Insist on this test from your physician. It’s covered by insurance.
• If you don’t have a physician, contact Polk County Health Department for locations of free testing sites.
• Get ALL YOUR CHILDREN under 6 tested for lead. Ideally, you should test your children at ages 1 and 2, and more often for children in hazardous homes.

Under Construction

This section is currently under construction. Check back for new and updated articles relating to lead-based paint.