Before remodeling an older home, you must have it inspected for lead-based paint.
Heres how to administer the test yourself, and what to do with the results.
Lead amounts in paint ranged from 10 to 50 percent.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause a range of health and neurological problems.
Pregnant women are also at risk as lead can pass from the placenta and poison the unborn fetus.
They can often test soil and dirt and give on the spot lead paint results using ax-ray fluorescence machine.
A cheaper alternative, though, is to do it yourself.
There are only two widely available andEPA-approvedkits: theKlean-Strip D-Lead Paint testing kitand the3M Lead Check Swabs.
The Klean-Strip kit has a shelf life, so check that you check the expiration date before using it.
The kit provides strips to ensure that its still valid.
Then use the razor blade and remove the paint chip from the wall.
This kit requires a mix of two solutions.
Cut the paint chip into about four small pieces and drop them into solution number one.
There is also another strip to drop into the solution to verify.
This is a very easy test to do and only takes a few minutes.
You should also test any children in the home for lead exposure.
Its a simple blood test that can be administered by your pediatrician.
Do not attempt to remove any lead paint yourself.
Consider having your home tested again by a State or EPA certified risk assessor.
Photos byMyFixItUpLifeandCharles & Hudson.
