VISUAL INSPECTION FOR LEAD BASED PAINT

A visual lead inspection should be done on all housing built before 1978. The inspection is done to assess potential lead exposure hazards. Essential Maintenance Practices are then used to reduce, or possibly eliminate these hazards. Conditions can change over time, so it is important that inspections be done frequently. At a minimum, visual inspections should be done:

1. Initially-to assess the current conditions of the property/unit;
2. At turnover-prior to a new tenant/owner moving in;
3. Upon request of the tenant; and
4. At least once a year.

When performing a visual inspection it is important to know where lead was typically applied. Historically, the most commonly application was to the home’s exterior and its interior woodwork (doors, windows, baseboards, etc.). Lead paint was rarely used on walls other than those in kitchens and baths. It is also rare to find lead on ceilings unless it is made of tin or wood (i.e. porch ceiling). Floors were occasionally painted with lead especially around the edges not otherwise covered by an area rug. NOTE: Varnishes do not contain significant levels of lead. However, a technique called "graining" (which often looks like varnish) does include a thin layer of lead paint. These surfaces should also be monitored with a visual inspection.

Just because there is lead in the paint doesn’t necessarily mean there is a hazard. It is the condition or location of the paint that creates the hazard. Therefore, to assess the potential hazards of a painted surface, ask yourself:

1. Is the paint in poor condition?

• Is it chipping, peeling, flaking, or chalking? If you wipe your hand across the surface, will it leave a residue of dust and/or chips on your hand?
• Is the chipping to the extent that a child could easily remove the paint? Can a chip be removed with your fingernail?
• If the surface is out of children’s reach: Are chips falling to the ground/floor where children may come in contact with them?

2. Is dust being generated from the paint being rubbed or hit?

• Is there debris or dust around doors, on window sills or in window wells?
• Is the paint on window sashes, doors and floors being rubbed bare from opening, closing or from foot traffic?

3. Is the paint on a surface that a child may chew on?

• Is the surface horizontal, protrude enough for a child to mouth it (>1/2 inch), and within the child’s reach (between 6 inches and 4 feet from the floor)? These are typically window sills, chair rails and some baseboards.
• Do the baseboards have square edges?

If the answer to any of the three questions is, "yes", and the components appear to be original (not replaced since 1978), then a lead exposure hazard may exist and should be corrected.

The inspection should also include potential lead exposure hazards of soil. Exterior paints contained a higher lead content than interior paints, and were in use long after interior paints became unleaded. Weathering and repainting of the exterior may have also contaminated the soil around the buildings. Take note of any bare soil within 100 feet of the structure, and any paint chips that may be in the soil. The highest lead levels will be found in the soils within 10 feet of an old structure.