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Prior to undertaking some construction in an apartment, I first want a fast, quick, and dirty test to verify if there is LEAD present, before going forward and paying the full lab costs of a fully EPA Certified LEAD sampling and lab testing procedure.

Can anyone inform me if the XRF Analyzer (the gun pointed at walls that read presence of LEAD) is the accepted method of determining the presence of lead in wall and ceiling paint prior to any abatement efforts; also if it is possible to get a quick reading (i.e.,without having to send out for lab results) from just a lead testing firm with their XRF analyzer…If the LEAD tester in his experience can make an educated determination that there is LEAD present, I’ll go for forward the full battery of tests.
Can anyone recommend me someone that can do this initial quick & dirty test for a reasonably low fee?
I need to have a tentative initial determination within a few days.

Thanks a bunch.

PS: someone informed me that the wipe test (also called ‘swab’ or ‘swipe’ test) is only used AFTER an a lead abatement has been performed, to determine the presence of residual lead, but it doesn’t test for lead in the walls and ceilings. Is this true?