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Testing for Lead - Toronto

Testing for Lead

Environmental Services Group provides lead testing and assessments for homes and buildings where lead paint may have been used. Environmental Services Group is a Toronto based lead testing environmental consulting service.

Some laboratories and environmental suppliers have available a "do it yourself" kit to aid in testing for the presence of lead based paint. Although this method is the most inexpensive it is not 100% reliable. There have been cases of both false positive results and false negative results.

The XRF Lead Paint Analyzer is a tool that uses x-rays to scan into walls that may contain lead and gives a reading that is 95% reliable. The XRF testing is quite expensive but not as time consuming as it can be done on-site.

Call Environmental Services Group today to do the required lead testing.

The two acceptable methods of testing paint for lead are XRF analysis and paint chip analysis. They may be used separately, or in combination:

1. XRF Analysis

(use of an electronic instrument to read whether there is lead in the paint. Results are reported in milligrams per square centimeter (mg/cm 2). It has to be used by a licensed, certified lead inspector/assessor.)

Advantages of XRF Analysis

  • Not destructive to the painted surface.
  • Results are immediate.
  • Cheaper than paint chip analysis if you are taking a large number of samples.

Disadvantages of XRF Analysis

  • Negative results (less than or equal to 0.0 mg/cm2) must be verified by paint chip analysis, as required by Cal/OSHA.

2. Paint Chip Analysis

(analysis by a lab of a measured amount of lead-containing paint, e.g., a 2" x 2" section of paint).

Advantages of Paint Chip Analysis

  • The lab can determine whether there is any lead in the paint.
  • Cost per individual sample is low although it may be a more costly method if you are taking numerous samples.
  • Anyone can be trained how to do lead paint chip sampling, if the purpose is to determine what worker protections are needed. If the purpose is to assess whether your school has a lead problem that could expose children, it's required to be done by a certified lead inspector.

Disadvantages of Paint Chip Analysis

  • Destructive to the painted surface.
  • Takes time to collect the necessary samples.
  • You don't get an immediate reading; you have to wait for the lab results to come back.
  • May underestimate the lead level in the paint if material under the paint (substrate) is included in the paint sample.

3. Combination of XRF and paint chip analysis

First conduct XRF analysis on the components of each building that may have lead paint and then follow up on those for which you have received negative readings with paint chip analysis. This approach provides quick answers when lead levels are high. When the XRF result suggests there is no lead in the paint, a paint chip sample is sent to the laboratory for a confirmation of the analysis.

The legal implications of lead as it is defined in the Occupational Health And Safety Act.

Fast Facts:

FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.

FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.

FACT: Lead can get into your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.

FACT: You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to occupants.

Where Lead Is Found:

In general, the older the building (including residential properties), the more likely it has lead-based paint.

  • Paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978.
  • In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
  • In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
  • Inside and outside of houses and commercial buildings.
  • In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)
  • Household dust. (Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.)
  • Drinking water. Your building or property might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.
  • Old painted toys and furniture.
  • Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.
  • Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.
  • Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset stomach.

Health Effects Of Lead Exposure:

Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in North America

Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.

Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because:

  • Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead on them.
  • Children's growing bodies absorb more lead.
  • Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:

  • Damage to the brain and nervous system
  • Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
  • Slowed growth
  • Hearing problems
  • Headaches

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:

  • Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
  • High blood pressure
  • Digestive problems
  • Nerve disorders
  • Memory and concentration problems
  • Muscle and joint pain
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