Lead paint manufacturers were mandated to terminate production of all lead-based paint in 1978 by the federal Government. Several case studies recently performed by IM have revealed some interesting data.

LEAD PAINT residual within a dwelling built 8 years after the 1978 mandate. A recent investigation of a client’s purchase of a 1985 residential structure uncovered lead contaminated dust on the floors and walls of this dwelling. Although the levels were below the action level as deemed by the EPA they were nonetheless present in several areas of this home. The amount of this residual dust can easily accumulate on the hands and clothing of a child within that building. IM can
provide a quick and inexpensive residual dust analysis by laboratory standards.

A simple residual lead dust test can determine any presence in your home.

LEAD in the soil around a dwelling. In a second case a dwelling built in the 1950s had painted wood siding. The buyer wanted to replace the wood clapboard siding with a simulated wood shake in vinyl siding. The siding revealed levels of lead paint present that suggested further soil testing after removing the siding. A lead specialist was hired to sample and remediate any levels above the EPA benchmark. Surprisingly, the test revealed contamination far above those levels that might reasonably have been expected from the siding replacement. Total remedial cost and soil replacement was in the low five figures.

It is important to remember that even newer construction may have used a site of a former, pre-1978 building and lead paint from that earlier structure may remain in the soil.