Up-Country Building Inspectors, inc. - Residential and Commercial Building Inspectors

LEAD PAINT -- DO I REALLY NEED A LEAD PAINT TEST

Lead-based paint may be present in any residence built prior to 1978. Lead may also be in dust, soil, or water. Most household lead is in the form of dust from lead paint and is taken in by breathing and eating. Even at relatively low levels in the bloodstream, lead can cause delayed development, lower IQ, and learning & behavioral problems in infants and young children. By their hand-to-mouth nature, young children are most at risk as they explore their environment by touch and taste. Pregnant women and their unborn children are also at risk, as are families doing renovations in older homes.

Information you should have…			To rate the house…				Points	Add
-Most lead poisoned children come from homes built prior to 1950.			Was the structure built in 1950 or earlier?				6
					1950 to 1978?		2
- Lead was banned from residential paint in 1978.					1978 or later?		0
-Children of this age are most sensitive to the effects of lead. In fact the peak of the lead poisoned child population is in the 1 - 2 year old bracket.			Are there children in family less than 6 years old?				2

					With known elevated blood lead level?		4

-The developing fetus and its mother are at risk to the harmful effects of lead.			Are you pregnant, planning to be, or adopting a young child?				2

-Over 60% of the lead poisoned children in Maine come from homes where renovations, etc. have been done in the prior 6 months.			Are you planning renovations / remodeling / repainting?				4

			Have renovations, remodeling, repainting been done within the past 6 months?				3

-Painted surfaces that slide past each other (like window sashes) are called friction surfaces. Surfaces that hit each other (like doors on their frames) are called impact surfaces. Both are where lead-bearing dust can be created.			Are there friction or impact surfaces with paint in poor condition?
					Windows?	(Is the paint chipped peeling, flaking, or chalking?)	2
					Doors?		2
					Stairways?		1
					Porches/Decks?		1
-Lead-based paint can fall from these surfaces onto places where children can pick it up or it can get onto their toys or clothing. Exterior paint gets onto the soil and can be tracked into the house on shoes and bare feet.			Are there other painted surfaces with paint in poor condition…
					Walls?	(Is the paint chipped peeling, flaking, or chalking?)	1
					Ceilings?		1
					Baseboards?		1
					Floors?		1
					Exterior siding/Trim?		1
-These are signs of paint in poor condition or incomplete cleanup after repainting.			Are there visible paint chips or paint debris in the window wells?
							4
					On floor?		2
					On soil drip line?		1
-Play areas are another place where children can pick up lead and track it into the house.			Is there bare soil in play area (more than 9 square feet)?				1

Total Points
Lead Paint Testing is…		If Total Points are…
	Optional			Less than 4
	Suggested			4 to 6
	Recommended			7 to 10
	Strongly Recommended			Greater than 10

Up-Country Building Inspectors

25 Plaza Drive, Suite 10
Scarborough, ME 04074
P.O. Box 1568
Scarborough, ME 04070-1568
Tel: 207.883.9876
Toll Free: 1.800.244.9876
Fax: 207.885.0852
EMail: uchi@uchi.com

home inspections by up country home inspectors