Frequently Asked Questions
When was lead removed from the paint?
Large amounts of lead were removed from lead paint in 1950, but the Health Department found that children in the homes after 1950 were still getting poisoned from lead dust, so they changed the date 1978 to January 1, 2015.
What if I got a Lead Paint Inspection before the child was lead poisoned?
If you received a lead visual inspection before poisoning, there is a chance your tenant or child can still be poisoned because all the lead in the home isn’t removed from that component. It was encapsulated, and if lead dust is re-exposed and comes into contact with a child. The health department uses an XRF gun that scans underneath the top surface layer of the paint, so the best thing to do is to call a Lead Paint Inspector Technician to scan your home for where there are lead paint positives and have them removed by a Lead Paint Supervisor before a child is poisoned (we offer this service with removal).
Please be sure to watch out for lead paint inspectors who pass you without your best interest in mind. Lead paint inspections were made to protect the property owner by reducing the risk of a child being poisoned, and studies show that these practices reduce the amount.
If your inspector is not inspecting your property correctly, then you are avoiding your protection and knowledge of lead dust in your home.
How long does it take to get lead poisoned?
It can take minutes or longer, depending on whether there is enough lead exposure or if a child finds and consumes a big enough Lead paint chip or dust pile.
At what point was lead used in homes?
Lead was used in homes before Pre-1978.
Do you need a lead certificate to sell or buy a home?
No, you don't need a lead certificate To sell or buy a home, but it would be wise to have a lead paint inspection done to certify that there is no lead dust present. It is not a requirement that you have a certificate, but it is a great incentive.
Real estate Sellers have to:
First, please let the buyer know that lead-based paint in the home poses an environmental hazard, and have the buyer sign a disclosure statement with all documents about the sale of the property.
Second, an EPA-approved lead paint pamphlet should be supplied to inform them of any information dealing with lead paint.
Third, give them 10 days to have a lead paint inspection or risk assessment of the property.
Which rental properties do you have to inspect for lead paint?
Any home built on or before or pre-1978.
What kind of inspector do I need to do my lead paint inspection?
Visual inspectors inspect rental properties for lead paint and distribute 330 Certificates for Full and Modified Risk Reductions. (Explained below)
Full Risk Reductions- Inspection for rental properties with Lead Dust presumed present.
Modified Risk Reduction—This inspection is conducted after a notice of a child's elevated lead blood level has been sent to the owner or property manager. Full Risk reduction will not satisfy this inspection.
Lead Technicians- Inspect day care centers and use the XRF X-ray analyzers for Lead-Free Inspections and Limited Lead-Free.
Lead-Free- An inspector Technician has inspected the home as being free of any lead by XRF analyzer.
Limited lead-free- The home has been inspected by an inspector technician, certifying that the interior is free of lead but that the exterior still contains lead. In addition, only the home's exterior will have to be inspected for the remaining property's rental history.
What are the regulations for the removal of lead paint? Can I remove the hazard?
The regulations for lead paint removal state that a licensed Maryland Department of Environment Lead Paint Supervisor is the only contractor to remove large amounts of lead. In addition, if you try to remove it yourself, out of regulation, you will receive a 27,000 fine.
Lead Safe Certified Renovation Firms can only deal with less than 6 square feet of lead per room.
Chemicals and lead paint substrates removed from a property must be transported to a hazardous waste facility and properly wrapped and sealed for disposal. (There are large fines for illegally dumping chemicals into water drains, sewers, and public facilities.
What is the process of a Health Department Lead paint violation?
The Health department lead violation process consists of receiving a notice of elevated lead blood level in a child. A health department inspector will inspect the home with an XRF X-ray gun.
Second, if the XRF gun finds overregulated amounts, the inspector will give you a work plan and a report of all positive areas and tell you to remove or stabilize them.
Third, you have to choose Lead Paint Supervisor (00 Lead) from the MDE website, which will assess the company's liability and give you an estimate for Abatement practices.
Fourth, after completing the process of abatement, the contractor will give the owner two supervisors' statements of work and work orders.
Fifth, the owner is to call the health department inspector for a re-inspection of the property to verify that the abatement procedures and the areas that read positive are fixed.
Last, after the health department approves the abatement, the owner or Management Company will have to appoint a lead paint visual inspector to perform a Modified Risk Reduction.
This involves three dust wipes in each room of the home: one from the window well, one from the windowsill, and one from the floor. (Property owner cannot direct the inspector)
After the inspector receives the results, the results must conclude at least 10ug for the floors, 100 for the wells, and 100ug for the sills.
Completing all these tasks will make you feel you're doing your violation and save you from fees and fines.
How do I pass a lead paint inspection?
You pass a lead paint inspection by having bulks of dirt in areas of the floor, in or above Air vents, and in corners that have tested lead positive.
The paint must be 100% intact. There cannot be any chipping, cracking, or deteriorating paint anywhere on your property or within 75 feet of your property lines.
Dirty floors with lead dust from renovation projects. Clean the floors, windowsills, walls, and anything else in the area during construction without cross-contamination.
How do I protect myself from lead poisoning?
You protect yourself from lead poisoning by knowing a great company with the right information you need. 00 Lead paint
How is lead dust dangerous?
Even a small amount of lead can stay in the body for up to seven months and be stored in bones for 30 years. The Centers for Disease Control have set limits for children to 5-10 ug/dl, and OSHA establishes lead levels for adults.
What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?
Symptoms of lead poisoning include tiredness, sleep problems, dizziness, irritability, nervousness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, depression, forgetfulness, weakness, clumsiness, joint and muscle pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach aches, constipation, a metallic taste in the mouth, problems having healthy children, and loss of sexual drive.
High doses of lead can cause permanent damage to the developing brain.
How are we exposed to lead dust?
Lead dust is formed from friction while opening and closing lead substrates' windows and doors, damaging encapsulation. This action is mostly done during the changing of seasons.