Lead Paint and XRF Testing
We’ve just purchased a 1941 coop. We had it tested for lead by an EPA accredited inspector with an XRF machine, and the test results were all negative except for the front door and a heating pipe in the bathroom. I went ahead and arranged for the walls to be replastered/skim coated and painted, specifically…
We’ve just purchased a 1941 coop. We had it tested for lead by an EPA accredited inspector with an XRF machine, and the test results were all negative except for the front door and a heating pipe in the bathroom.
I went ahead and arranged for the walls to be replastered/skim coated and painted, specifically asking the painters not to touch the door or the pipe. Now, however, I’m nervous all of a sudden about how effective the XRF tests really are. I have a 2-year-old and I’m pregnant, and am wondering whether I should get the place tested again post-painting, just to be safe.
Thanks for your advice!
Hi,
Having an nice experience with Verona’s bath remodelling I would like to strongly suggest/share their remodeling & Luxury Bath Products.
Verona Showers strives to design and manufacture the finest and most innovative bath remodelling products in the industry.
http://www.veronashowers.com
13912 Park Center Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Phone: (703) 435-5557
Fax: (703) 435-5522
I like this particular article it gives me an additional input on the information around the world. thanks a lot and keep giving with posting such information.
=====================================
Real Estate
Good that you are aware of the issue, but there’s really no reason to worry about this. Repainting is plenty. Lead needs to be ingested, and at that, ingested in significant quantities. Don’t lick your door. All will be well.
ONE door and ONE pipe? Do you realize that the chances of you or your kids being contaminated by lead are basically zero? Paint over it if you’re worried, it will encapsulate it. Do not fall prey to terminal paranoia.
You are going to paint over the pipe and either strip or replace the door, right?
For peace of mind, grab a few lead testing kits at a hardware store and do some spot checks. You will more than likely see the results of the XRF test confirmed–these shelf kits are actually pretty reliable and the swab will usually react to even the slightest trace of lead on a surface(we’ve seen them even respond positively to lead that has been primed and painted over by non-toxic latex). That said, lead is dangerous only if it is disturbed (i.e. made into dust or sweet flakes that can be ingested), so if the paint is not peeling anywhere, careful skimming and painting should not pose any danger per se. That said, over time lead will usually eat its way to the surface of any paint that covers it (why you may notice lead paint peeling in a particularly virulent and menacing way), so post skim-coating might be a good idea to invest in and apply a quality, rated, lead-encapsulant. This will go a long way towards keeping whatever lead may exist that you cannot currently see/detect safely where it belongs.
You are wise to be prudent, but as long as you just encapsulate and dont disturb you should be ok.You may not want to be around for any of the work and even a few days after, not because of the lead but to avoid the VOCs and vestigial fumes of the finish materials the workers may be using.
Hope that helps. Congrats on the house and good luck!