Lead paint can be a serious potential threat to people living in a number of household, as prior to the 1978 the lead based paint was quite popular and was used commonly in residential buildings. So, it is no wonder that more and more people are opting for the lead paint test. There are a number of serious health hazards which can bring about irrevocable damages in children and adults as well, arising from the consumption and inhalation of the lead paint. It should be noted that there are three types of lead paint testing done and this is the reason why you must understand the purposes and differences of these tests so that you will be able to opt for the one which is best suited to your needs. So, here is a brief description of these different types of tests for your benefit.
The different types of lead paint tests are mainly lead paint inspection, lead paint hazard screen and lead risk assessment. The lead paint inspection is conducted in the homes which are built before the ban on lead paint was issued so as to give an idea if there is a reason for being worried of or not. Every painted surface around and inside the house is covered in this inspection and the levels of the lead-based paint are noted in the same. Some particular sections of all surfaces are taken into account for testing for lead paint and the report is provided to you giving information if there is a need to get tensed or not.
The lead paint hazard screen is able to detect lead in any painted surface which appears to be damaged. Even a small quantity of dust can be tested at home with this test. The third type of lead paint testing is the lead risk assessment and it is more of a detailed study of the lead paint which has been spotted during the lead paint inspection. With this procedure it is possible to determining type of the paint, risk associated with location of the paint and proportion of the lead in paint. All this is accomplished by combining different methods that include surveying surfaces, dust and soil testing and testing of water as well.
So, with this basic knowledge of the procedure and purposes of different types of lead paint testing, it will be possible for you to conduct a test which is best suited to your needs. If you are quite certain that the lead based paint is used in your house then you can skip the first procedure and directly proceed towards the lead assessment. The lead assessment procedure is especially useful, if you have highly susceptible persons in your household like toddlers. The final step is to consider hiring a qualified professional for the job, or doing the same yourself by using a lead paint test kit. I would like to suggest that hiring a professional for the job is the best as there are serious risks associated with prolonged lead exposure and you may not be well aware of the same. Also, the reports submitted by these professionals tend to be more accurate than the ones which are provided by the lead paint test kits.
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Dawn Alfau can be found at:Lead Paint Testing or Lead Paint Blog Visit Our Website For A Free Reports on Lead Paint Testing