Lead Testing

Lead paint inspections are performed for compliance with local construction regulations or to determine lead based paint related risks in housing developments. Whether its HUD compliant lead based paint inspections or lead in construction sampling, Apex Environmental Consultants has the team of certified inspectors to perform the survey in the time required, prepare a report with recommendations based on the client’s objectives.

Lead is a dangerous substance that was often used in paint and which can contaminate the surfaces of walls and floors, the air that people breathe. It can also seep into soil and spread to other surfaces and locations throughout buildings and property constructions and developments.

In April 2008, the EPA implemented the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). The rule stipulated that by April, 2012 anyone working on renovating, repairing, or painting a project that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and kindergarten buildings built before 1978 must be EPA or state-certified, and they must use certified subcontractors and employees who follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. In addition to the EPA’s RRP rule, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires any building receiving public assistance undergo clearance examinations.

Speak with one of our friendly client representatives today to discuss your needs and how we can quickly and efficiently meet them. Call us at 725.221.5286 or use our quick and easy to fill out contact forms.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to humans and animals causing health effects.

Where is Lead found?

Lead can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes. Much of our exposure comes from human activities including the use of fossil fuels including past use of leaded gasoline, some types of industrial facilities, and past use of lead-based paint in homes. Lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products found in and around our homes, including paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, children’s toys and cosmetics.

Lead may enter the environment from these past and current uses. Lead can also be emitted into the environment from industrial sources and contaminated sites, such as former lead smelters. While natural levels of lead in soil range between 50 and 400 parts per million, mining, smelting and refining activities have resulted in substantial increases in lead levels in the environment, especially near mining and smelting sites.

When lead is released to the air from industrial sources or vehicles, it may travel long distances before settling to the ground, where it usually sticks to soil particles. Lead may move from soil into ground water depending on the type of lead compound and the characteristic of the soil.

Federal and state regulatory standards have helped to reduce the amount of lead in air, drining water, soil, consumer products, food, and occupational settings.

To determine the presence, type, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards (including lead hazards in paint, dust, and soil) Apex Environmental Consulting performs an on-site Lead Risk Assessment and/or an Inspection. A risk assessment is an on-site investigation. Risk assessments can be legally performed only by certified risk assessors. Lead-based paint risk assessments are particularly helpful in determining sources of current exposure and in designing possible solutions.

You can also have a combined inspection and risk assessment. With any of these options, Apex Environmental Consultants will provide you with a written report of findings.

Who is at Risk?

Children:
Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Babies and young children can also be more highly exposed to lead because they often put their hands and other objects that can have lead from dust or soil on them into their mouths. Children may also be exposed to lead by eating and drinking food or water containing lead or from dishes or glasses that contain lead, inhaling lead dust from lead-based paint or lead-contaminated soil or from playing with toys with lead paint.

Adults, Including Pregnant Woman:
Adults may be exposed to lead by eating and drinking food or water containing lead from dishes or glasses that contain lead. They may also breathe lead dust by spending time in areas where lead-based paint is deteriorating, and during renovation or repair work that disturbs painted

surfaces in older homes and buildings. Working in a job or engaging in hobbies where lead is used, such as making stained glass, can increase exposure as can certain fold remedies containing lead. A pregnant woman’s exposure to lead from these sources is of particular concern because it can result in exposure to her developing baby.