According to the EPA, lead is toxic to humans and is, naturally, a serious health concern. It certainly warranted Congress banning all forms of lead paint, lead-based fixtures since 1978. And that is why modern homes, built since then, do not utilize lead in any form. For example, ancient Roman water pipes were primarily constructed of lead and some are still in use today. One of the reasons that lead was so commonly used is that it is cheap, malleable, and it is one that can be mined easily. But lead is also highly toxic and being exposed to one, through lead-based plumbing fixtures or even lead paint, for short durations – can cause serious health issues with over-exposure leading to lead poisoning as well. And that is why lead fixtures, lead paint, and associated materials were banned by Congress in 1978, and lead usage was regulated by Congress. But the lead was commonly used in old homes, especially if it had been built before 1978. And when it comes to Baltimore, lead inspection is a must. Here’s what you can do, to determine if your residence warrants a lead inspection. As long as it was constructed post-1978, you should not have much of an issue.
Identifying if your home in Baltimore lead paint, lead fixtures that require a lead inspection, is the right thing to do, especially since we are already battling a pandemic. Lead paint is one that can get disturbed easily and does not last for long. And that is all the more essential, to subject your home to a lead inspection. Here are a few essential tips on determining if you require one:
- Spot if you have lead paint: The first thing that you need to do is to determine if you require a lead inspection. Find out which year your home was built, and if it was before 1978, chances are that it contains lead paint.
- Find out if your home contains Lead: Lead is one of the easiest things to be disturbed. And if your home contains dust and peeling paint on the walls, banisters, etc, chances are that you require a lead inspection to assess the health impact.
- Utilize home test kits: These kits should be available at any hardware store. These tests do not cost much, and you can utilize these tests to determine if the lead is present in the air. And if it is, chances are that it is mainly on account of lead paint and fixtures that you may be using at the moment.
- Environmental tests: These tests are more expensive, cost more than a simple home test kit. You can call the labs accredited by the NLLAP, and they can collect a sample for testing. It should help determine if you have a lead issue and require a detailed lead inspection in your residence
It is not a mandatory requirement for you to test your home. But it is strongly advised that you do so, at the earliest. Given that lead poses a high risk to all ages, it is sheer common sense to get your residence tested. Moreover, the effects of lead on the human body make a lasting impact. It is not just young children and pregnant women who are at risk here. So act on these tips today, and determine if there’s lead present in your home or not. This is how you go about determining if you require a lead inspection at the earliest. If your residence had been built before 1978 then yes, you require one right away, especially if there’s chipped or peeling paint. Use the home test kits to determine if you require one, the extent of the problem, and take the required action, as you deem necessary.
