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How Do I Know If There Is Lead in My Apartment?

Name: Exit Mold
Address: 1 Irwin Ct., Lynbrook, New York, 11563, United States
Telephone: (516) 512-7877

Moving into a new apartment can be such an exciting time! Discovering your new neighborhood, picking out new decorations and household items, and even getting to know your new neighbors are all part of what makes rental life so fun.

However, as with any rental property, it is important to know as much about your new home as possible to help you stay safe. For example, if you are moving into an older place, how confident are you that the paint on the walls isn’t lead-based?

Knowing what to look for when it comes to signs of lead in your apartment will help you stay healthy and safe. Let’s explore more about the realities of lead paint below.

Why Is Lead Toxic?

Lead-based paint was used for centuries before the discovery of lead toxicity. Lead was originally incorporated into paint for multiple different reasons. It boosted the color of certain pigments, increased durability on surfaces, and even helped reduce drying time.

While those benefits made lead-based paint popular for years, it was discovered in the late 1970s that exposure to lead is dangerous and even toxic. This is because lead is a heavy metal and long-term exposure to it disrupts almost every organ and system in the human body.

In addition, lead can’t be eliminated through a typical metabolism, so it builds up the soft tissues, blood, and bones over a long period of time.

Signs of lead poisoning in the body include:

Abdominal pain
Frequent headaches
Irritability
Memory issues
Tingling hands or feet

Over time, these symptoms will get worse and can eventually lead to seizures, coma, or even death. Thankfully, lead-based paint has been banned since the 70s, but it is still found in many older homes and rental properties across the United States.

What Does Lead-Based Paint Look Like?

If you just moved into your apartment or you are doing some renovations, use extreme caution before deciding to repaint or take down any walls. This is especially true if the property was built before 1978, as lead-based paint was used widely up until then.

Even if the walls were given a fresh coat of paint before you moved in, there is a small chance that there is lead-based paint behind all those previous paint layers.

The good news is that lead based paint is relatively easy to spot, especially if it is starting to age or wear away..

Walk around your apartment to see if you notice these signs on your walls:

Cracking Paint

One of the most common signs of lead-based paint is when it starts to crack and wrinkle in a very specific pattern. Many people refer to this as “alligatoring” or “reptile scales” because the cracking looks like reptilian scales.

Chalky Residue

Another clear sign of lead-based paint is that it produces a chalky residue when it rubs off or starts to deteriorate. If you notice a chalky substance on your clothes after you brush up against your walls or a powdery substance starts to accumulate on the floor around a section of peeling paint, it’s time to call a professional to test for lead.

In addition to the visual signs that you may be dealing with a lead problem, don’t ignore any physical symptoms that you are experiencing. Lead-based paint may still be lurking in your apartment even if you can’t easily spot it.

If you notice any of the above symptoms in yourself or a family member, call a lead testing professional immediately. Children are the most vulnerable to lead exposure because they tend to chew on surfaces or eat flaking paint chips when no one is looking. Don’t wait to have your apartment tested if you have little kids under your roof.

How To Test for Lead in an Apartment

Enlisting the help of a professional team is always recommended when it comes to testing for lead. They will come with the proper safety gear and equipment to test your paint while also keeping you safe along the way.

To start, an XRF test will occur. XRF stands for X-ray Fluorescence, which is a testing method that uses X-ray beams to show lead atoms. This test offers an immediate diagnosis, which is a great way to identify potential issues without undergoing any major construction first.

If the XRF testing comes back inconclusive, a paint chip sample can also be removed from the home and tested for signs of lead.

In addition, a dust wipe testing can also occur to reveal lead in the surface dust of your home if the walls are not exhibiting any signs of deterioration. If lead is discovered, a proper lead abatement procedure is necessary to remove the paint safely without creating toxic dust.

Depending on the severity of the situation, full removal and replacement of the windows, doors, and drywall surrounding the affected area may be recommended. While this may seem overwhelming, the goal of any lead abatement project is to remove all traces of lead, so it will only help you and your family in the long run.

In addition to reducing your risk of suffering from lead toxicity, removing lead-based paint also:

Improves your indoor air quality
Reduces your risk of kidney and nervous system damage
Protects your child’s learning and behavior
Supports a healthier family in the long-term

Worried about the possibility of lead in your apartment? Enlist the help of the experts at Exit Mold!

Tackling Lead Problems With Exit Mold

Our trained team of professionals offers quality XRF testing and we can help you get rid of the lead in your apartment so you can enjoy years of comfort and safety in your new home. Contact us now at (516) 512-7877 to schedule your lead testing.