Frequently Asked questions

 A lead inspection checks the surfaces inside and outside of a home to identify where toxic lead paint is located. Inspectors will diligently examine problem areas and areas that may be difficult to spot. While lead paint is harmful, it's only dangerous when it's disturbed or damaged.  Therefore, lead paint that is in good condition and doesn’t run the risk of being concerned in the future can be left alone.  

 An inspection is a surface-by-surface investigation to determine whether there is lead-based paint in a home or child-occupied facility, and where it is located. Inspections can be legally performed only by certified inspectors or risk assessors. Lead-based paint inspections determine the presence of lead-based paint. It is particularly helpful in determining whether lead-based paint is present before purchasing, renting, or renovating a home, and identifying potential sources of lead exposure at any time.

A risk assessment is an on-site investigation to determine the presence, type, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards (including lead hazards in paint, dust, and soil) and provides suggested ways to control them. 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, the risk assessor or inspector will provide you with a written report of findings.

*Source EPA

Lead poisoning or lead toxicity refers to exposures to lead that result in illness and require immediate medical attention. It is used to describe cases when there are severe health effects related to high blood lead levels. If blood lead levels are 45 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) or greater, healthcare providers may recommend medication to help remove lead from the body. However, children are highly sensitive to lead and exposure at lower levels has been shown to cause harm. CDC provides a summary of Recommended Actions Based on Blood Lead Level.

Many factors affect how different people’s bodies handle exposure to lead. These factors include a person’s age, nutritional status, source of lead exposure, amount of lead exposure, underlying health conditions, and length of exposure. Many children exposed to lead have no obvious symptoms. Some exposures, however, cause more obvious health effects that need urgent treatment.

No level of lead exposure or lead in the body is safe for children. Even low levels of lead that were once considered safe have been linked to harmful changes in intelligence, behavior, and health. Children are most at risk because they are still developing physically and mentally.

* Source- CDC 

• No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children are especially at risk from lead because of their small size and developing brains. Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. Even low levels of blood lead have been shown to negatively affect a child’s intelligence, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. Removing all sources of lead exposure is important before a child is harmed. The good news is that childhood lead poisoning is preventable. The most important step that parents and caregivers, healthcare providers, and public health professionals can take is to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.

*Source CDC

• Your child has been diagnosed as having lead poisoning. The most common home-based source of lead exposure is deteriorating lead-based paint and the resulting dust.
• You live in a home built before 1978 where small children are or will be living.
• You are about to remodel or do anything that will disturb lead-based paint or generate lead-based paint dust and chips that can harm you and your family.
• You are renting or buying a home. When buying a home, federal law allows the purchaser the opportunity to conduct testing to determine whether lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards are present. This is especially important if you have (or plan to have) young children in the home. 
• You are concerned about possible lead exposure to you, your family and pets, or visitors.

*Source EPA

There are "at-home test kits" available for purchase and if you are a homeowner and wish to test your own personal residence, you are able to perform this less formal test to discover any exposed lead based paint that may exist. But note that these tests are not considered reliable enough to detect every amount of lead paint and therefore are not approved for use by licensed professional inspectors. 

However, a licensed lead inspector will have the testing equipment and ability to perform a more in-depth test to discover if there are any subsurface layers of paint or dust that may be hazardous.

Additionally, if you are an investor or Landlord and are in need of specific certifications to comply with local codes, you must have your property tested by a licensed third-party inspector and receive formal test results to submit for formal approval.

 Any renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) project in a pre-1978 home can easily create dangerous lead dust, which can harm children and adults. Home renovation projects that don’t follow lead-safe work practices (techniques to prevent lead exposure resulting from RRP activities) can put people at risk, especially when portrayed and shared on social media, television, or elsewhere. That’s why EPA has developed the Renovate Lead-Safe Media Kit to educate your followers, viewers, and others about the availability of lead-safe certified contractors and the importance of following do-it-yourself (DIY) lead-safe work practices.  

Click HERE to view Safe Media Kit 

NOTE- Landlords that want to qualify for any financial assistance or grant funds will be required to have abatement performed by a licensed lead abatement contractor.  

*Source EPA

Lancaster Lead Inspection Services is well versed with all of Lancaster and York County Municipal code requirements. We work diligently alongside local code officials building lasting relationships to ensure your property meets all of the required criteria and fulfills all State and local code requirements.  This may mean completing necessary documents but also meeting officials in person to confirm your property is in compliance. 

Click Below To View Full Ordinance Details 

• Lancaster City Lead Ordinance 
• Columbia Borough

In addition to your standard Rental Registration License, if your investment property is located in any of the below Municipalities, they do require a Lead Safe Certification. 

• Lancaster City 
• Columbia Borough

Lead-based paint is a serious business.  Lead inspections and lead risk assessments are useful first steps, which can lead to more thoughtful decisions on managing lead-based paint and lead hazards.

Lead abatement is an activity designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards. Abatement is sometimes ordered by a state or local government and can involve specialized techniques not typical of most residential contractors.

EPA requires individuals and firms who perform abatement projects in pre-1978 target housing and child-occupied facilities to be certified and follow specific work practices.

*Source EPA

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 playing with toys with lead-based paint.

Adults, Including Pregnant Women

Adults may be exposed to lead by eating and drinking food or water containing lead or 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 folk 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.

• The most important step parents, doctors, and others can take is to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.
• Until recently, children were identified as having a blood lead level of concern if the test result is 10 or more micrograms per deciliter of lead in blood. Experts now use a new level based on the U.S. population of children ages 1-5 years who are in the top 2.5% of children when tested for lead in their blood (when compared to children who are exposed to more lead than most children). Currently, that is 5 micrograms per deciliter of lead in blood. The new, lower value means that more children likely will be identified as having lead exposure allowing parents, doctors, public health officials, and communities to take action earlier to reduce the child’s future exposure to lead.

*Source EPA

Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. Children six years old and younger are most susceptible to the effects of lead.

Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in:

• Behavior and learning problems
• Lower IQ and Hyperactivity
• Slowed growth
• Hearing Problems
• Anemia

In rare cases, ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma and even death.

Lead can accumulate in our bodies over time, where it is stored in bones along with calcium. During pregnancy, lead is released from the mother's bones along with calcium and can pass from the mother exposing the fetus or the breastfeeding infant to lead. This can result in serious effects to the developing fetus and infant, including:

• Cause the baby to be born too early or too small;
• Hurt the baby’s brain, kidney’s, and nervous system;
• Increase the likelihood of learning or behavioral problems; and
• Put the mother at risk for miscarriage.

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

• Cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension;
• Decreased kidney function; and
• Reproductive problems (in both men and women).

*Source EPA

 Simple steps like keeping your home clean and well-maintained will go a long way in preventing lead exposure. You can lower the chances of exposure to lead in your home, both now and in the future, by taking these steps:

• Inspect and maintain all painted surfaces to prevent paint deterioration.
• Address water damage quickly and completely.
• Keep your home clean and dust-free.
• Clean around painted areas where friction can generate dust, such as doors, windows, and drawers. Wipe these areas with a wet sponge or rag to remove paint chips or dust.
• Use only cold water to prepare food and drinks.
• Flush water outlets used for drinking or food preparation.
• Clean debris out of outlet screens or faucet aerators on a regular basis.
• Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
• Teach children to wipe and remove their shoes and wash hands after playing outdoors.
• Ensure that your family members eat well-balanced meals. Children with healthy diets absorb less lead.

*Source EPA