LEAD is a highly toxic metal that was used in a variety of building materials for many years. LEAD may cause a range of health issues, ranging from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures, difficulty during pregnancy and even death. Young children under 6 years of age are most at risk because the bodies are growing quickly and children tend to put their hands in their mouths quite often without washing them.

Research suggests that the primary sources of LEAD exposure for most children are:

• Deteriorating LEAD-based paint
• LEAD contaminated dust
• LEAD contaminated residential soil

If you suspect LEAD paint or LEAD soil contamination, it is highly recommend to get the material tested. We contract with a lab that performs bulk material testing as well as a wipe that can roughly screen for LEAD. Again, the EPA has probably the best sources of information available so we’ll refer you to their site for additional information and provide you with additional resources for your convenience.

Additional Resources

• Environmental Protection Agency  

• Occupational and Safety Health Administraton
• Center for Disease Control
•  Wikipedia