HNST Mold Inspections can test your residential or commercial property for lead in the State of New York.
Lead was used in many products before we knew its neurotoxic effects. Unfortunately, even now that we know how harmful it can be, it is still used in consumer products both legally and illegally. There are scenarios where lead is used in a safe manner, but any human contact with it can be potentially harmful.
Lead can be found in many places in and out of the home and workplace. Older paint commonly contained lead as an additive. As did water pipes, ceramic, old gasoline, batteries, and cosmetics. Lead and lead-based compounds found in these items can also seep into the ground. For instance, lead from old paint on the exterior of a building can leach into the soil and water in the surrounding area. Lead pipes can leach into water supplies.
Children
Children are at a higher risk of lead poisoning. Their growing bodies can easily absorb lead where it affects the development of the brain and bones. Common places children are exposed to lead are through the drinking supply and contaminated soil in a play area. Younger children can also chew toys that contain lead or lead-based paint.
Old Homes and Buildings
In 1978 the federal government banned consumer uses of lead paint. If your home was built before then there is a chance paint may contain lead. Some States did impose earlier bans. Commons areas and ways to find old lead are:
- Windows and Sills
- Doors and frames
- Stairs
- Decks and porches
- Renovations
- Soil excavation
- Plumbing work
Products
Lead can be found in many products:
- Painted toys, furniture, and toy jewelry
- Cosmetics
- Lead-glazed pottery
- Plumbing products
Drinking Water
Lead can leach into the drinking water for several reasons. The acid content in the pipes or other chemical imbalances can corrode the inner lining of pipes exposing the lead to the drinking water. Prior to 1986 homes are more likely to have used lead in the plumbing, but new homes are at risk as well. Supposedly “lead-free” pipes have been shown to contain up to 8% lead. In 2014, the Safe Drinking Water Act made changes to the maximum allowable lead content of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures to be 0.25 percent.
HNST Mold Inspections offers Lead-Based Paint, Water Testing, and Dust & Bulk Sampling of LBP (Lead-based paint) for commercial & residential properties in New York, Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Sullivan & Putnam, Counties. Please note that we do not service New Jersey for lead testing.