lead paint?

Question

I just went to a class talking about houses having lead paint (prior to 1978) I am thinking my apt building was built before that time. Do apartment owners have to check for lead levels?

Answer 1

It depends on the state that you live in. In my state, apartment owners are required to discolose that there is lead paint in the building at the time that you sign the lease.

Lead paint isn't really dangerous unless you eat it, or if you sand it and breathe in the dust. That's why they talk about little kids and lead poisioning all the time. You really have to ingest it for it to do anything to you.

As long as you don't lick the railings or walls, you'll be fine :>)

Answer 2

Consumer Product Safety Commission
What You Should Know About Lead Based Paint in Your Home: Safety Alert
CPSC Document #5054

Consumers can have paint tested for lead.
There are do-it-yourself kits available. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has not evaluated any of these kits. One home test kit uses sodium sulfide solution. This procedure requires you to place a drop of sodium sulfide solution on a paint chip. The paint chip slowly turns darker if lead is present. There are problems with this test, however. Other metals may cause false positive results, and resins in the paint may prevent the sulfide from causing the paint chip to change color. Thus, the presence of lead may not be correctly indicated. In addition the darkening may be detected only on very light-colored paint.

Another in-home test requires a trained professional who can operate the equipment safely. This test uses X-ray fluorescence to determine if the paint contains lead. Although the test can be done in your home, it should be done only by professionals trained by the equipment manufacturer or who have passed a state or local government training course, since the equipment contains radioactive materials. In addition, in some tests, the method has not been reliable.

Consumers may choose to have a testing laboratory test a paint sample for lead. Lab testing is considered more reliable than other methods. Lab tests may cost from $20 to $50 per sample.
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Cover the lead-based paint.
You can spray the surface with a sealant or cover it with gypsum wallboard. However, painting over lead-based paint with non-lead paint is not a long-term solution. Even though the lead-based paint may be covered by non-lead paint, the lead-based paint may continue to loosen from the surface below and create lead dust. The new paint may also partially mix with the lead-based paint, and lead dust will be released when the new paint begins to deteriorate.
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Reduce lead dust exposure.
You can periodically wet mop and wipe surfaces and floors with a high phosphorous (at least 5%) cleaning solution. Wear waterproof gloves to prevent skin irritation. Avoid activities that will disturb or damage lead based paint and create dust. This is a preventive measure and is not an alternative to replacement or removal.

Answer 3

YES