Lead

The likelihood of lead paint increases with the age of the home. About half of homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint, and 90% of homes built before 1940 have lead-based paint. 

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Federal law requires contractors that disturb lead-based paint in homes built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.  Before disturbing a home with possible lead, get it tested.

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There are currently two methods recognized by EPA for testing paint: portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzers and paint chip sampling followed by analysis by a laboratory recognized by EPA's National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP).

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