Lead based paint was used for over 100 years. Lead made colors more vibrant, weather resistant, and protected the paint from mildew and mold. In addition, it acted as a drying agent. The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of hazardous LBP in 1978.
We have conducted over three thousand lead based paint (LBP) inspections in the past 15 years. We currently work with over 20 municipalities as well as apartment owners, property management companies, and insurance companies inspecting both single family and multifamily buildings for LBP.
Training
All our technicians are certified as inspector/assessors via the California Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch. They each have over 7 years of experience. The owner has been certified for 15 years.
Protocol
Lead Tech Environmental performs all LBP inspections and risk assessments pursuant to the Housing & Urban Development (“HUD”) Guidelines For The Evaluation And Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing 1997 edition. Our inspectors will test all the painted building components in the interior and on the exterior: walls, doors, windows, baseboards, ceilings, eaves, rafters, fascia, baseboards, etc.
EPA RRP Lead Paint Screening
We will only inspect the painted surfaces that will be disturbed for LBP. If the paint tests negative, the RRP rule no longer applies.
Technology
Our inspectors use portable XRF LBP Spectrum Analyzers. The XRF machines measure the lead content in painted components without disturbing the paint. The results are instantaneous. We calibrate the XRF pursuant to the manufacturer’s specifications and regularly verified XRF readings against pre determined lead samples produced by the National Institute of Standards and Testing (NIST).
Risk Assessments (“RA”)
A RA is defined as an assessment of a dwelling to check for the presence of LBP hazards. It includes a visual assessment of paint debris in the dust and soil. In essence, the risk assessor tests to see whether the house contains defective paint and or excessive levels of LBP dust on components such as floors, window sills, or in soil. Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations Division 1, Chapter 8 mandates stringent lead dust limits for floors, window sills, window wells and soil.
Clearance Testing
The Clearance Test confirms whether the contractor/painter took all necessary precautions to contain the work area, and clean it. The inspector will take dust wipe samples to determine if a lead hazard exists on the floors or window sills. If it does, the Contractor must reclean the work areas, and adjacent areas via wet methods and HEPA vacuuming.
Abatement Specifications
We will review the lead paint inspection report with any potential rehabilitation scope of work and draft technical specifications on how to best manage, repair or abate any LBP in the most practical and cost effective manner. We can also draft operations and maintenance plans.