Are your children at risk for lead poisoning?
Lead paint poses a serious hazard to children, especially under the age of six. Although lead poisoning is preventable, thousands of children are still at risk. If your home was built before 1978 there is a good chance that there is lead paint in your house. Protect your family with a comprehensive lead evaluation from Asbestways.
Basics
Lead is a heavy metal that is harmful when swallowed or inhaled. Although the US banned lead based paint in the 70’s it can still be found in dust, air, water, soil, and in some products used in and around our homes. The most common cause of lead poisoning is from dust and chips from old paint. Children under six years old are the most likely target of lead poisoning from lead dust which can accumulate on floors and windowsills and end up on hands and toys.
In a commercial setting, lead becomes a health hazard when paint and paint chips seep into soil, water and dust. Adults can be exposed to lethal amounts of lead especially when disturbing lead paint as a result of renovation or remodeling activities. Proper lead testing and abatement are the only sure way to protect commercial property owners from lead related liability claims.
Lead Testing
Surface-by-surface lead inspections in residential and commercial settings are critical in determining the presence or absence of Lead Based Paint. To ensure a comprehensive inspection Asbestways uses a XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer) device to test samplings of painted surfaces in a dwelling, unit or building. XRF is a non-destructive, fast, cost effective and legally defensible lead testing method preferred by the HUD (Housing and Urban Development ) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). Since XRF testing accurately shows specific locations of lead based paint, Asbestways is able to limit abatement to only the necessary areas that actually contain lead.
Commercial Testing
Commercial land owners including apartment buildings, daycare centers, and manufacturing facilities are not immune to lead based hazards. Professional lead testing and abatement are the only protection against liability claims. Before you sell property, remodel or rent space be sure to establish proper lead assessment and abatement procedures.
Who should be concerned about lead?
- People who live in homes built prior to 1978
- Landowners
- Insurance companies
- Real estate agents
- Contractors
- Business owners
Abatement
Lead abatement is the permanent elimination of lead based paint hazards. At Asbestways, we follow guidelines set out by HUD and OSHA to ensure safe lead containment and abatement. Our strict safety rules ensure that lead is removed without subjecting surrounding areas to potentially harmful lead dust.
Abatement can include
- Removal of lead paint
- Removal of lead contaminated dust
- Permanent containment or encapsulation of lead paint
- The replacement of lead paint surfaces or fixtures
- Removal or covering of lead contaminated soil
- Cleanup and disposal of all preparation materials
- Post-abatement clearance testing