Yes, definitely. As the saying goes, “if it’s red, it’s lead!” This positive test is from a residence near Comanche and Louisiana and shows that the lead is in the paint and has leached into the wood underneath.
It’s sad to see so many people who don’t care about lead, they’re out sanding and scraping the paint on their houses, or they’re hiring an non-certified contractor who never educated them about lead paint.
Lead was put in paint for durability and color. It was also put in other finishes such as varnish and stains. Lead can be found in tile, bathtub finishes, ceramic dishes, pottery, and we all remember the recent threat of finding out that China was selling toys painted with lead paint. Lead is a neurotoxin that causes brain damage such as lower IQ, learning disability, ADD, ADHD. And lead doesn’t just affect children: in adults, lead poisoning can cause kidney damage, joint and muscle pain and endocrine disorders.
Exposure to lead can come from children playing in areas where there are lead paint chips, but it also comes from remodeling projects such as repairs, painting, and sanding. A little lead paint dust goes a long way. Think about spreading a packet of sweetener about in a room, if that was dust from lead paint instead of sweetener, that little bit of dust is enough to contaminate that room or even the entire house, depending on the concentration of lead in the paint.
So what’s the answer? Sell the house? No, the EPA has developed a safe method for doing remodel work. It is taught in an 8 hour class called RRP – Repair, Renovate, and Painting. If you plan to do the work yourself, you should take the class to learn how to keep you, your family, and your pets safe! If you plan to hire a contractor, make sure they are certified by the EPA. They will be able to show you their certificate and they will make education about lead paint part of their job!
Advance Concept is both an EPA Certified Firm and an EPA Certified Instructional Facility. Classes are held the first Friday of every month. Not sure about all this? Please call us with all your questions. 505-715-5481, ext. 1101.
Is there lead paint in Albuquerque? Yes! If your home was built before 1978, always test before disturbing any surface. Keep you and your family safe!