Lead in Paint/Solids

Lead in Paint, Soil, and Household Items: What You Can’t See Can Still Hurt You

Most people know about lead in drinking water, but lead exposure in the home goes well beyond what comes out of the tap. Paint in homes built before 1978 commonly contains lead, and as it ages, chips, or is disturbed during renovation, it becomes a serious ingestion and inhalation hazard, especially for young children and pets who are closest to the floor. Lead can also be present in soil around older homes from decades of exterior paint degradation and leaded gasoline, in imported cookware and dishware, and in toys and jewelry that were manufactured without strict safety standards.

The danger with lead in solids is the same as with water — you cannot see it, smell it, or identify it without testing. And because children absorb lead at twice the rate of adults, the stakes of not knowing are high. Long term exposure has been linked to permanent neurological damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and developmental delays. There is no level of lead exposure that is considered safe for children.

What This Test Covers

Our lead in paint and solids test can analyze virtually any solid material you are concerned about. Common items people send in include paint chips and painted surfaces, soil from around the home or play areas, imported cookware and dishware, baby and children’s toys, jewelry, and other household items. All testing is performed in our own in-house laboratory by our chemists, who conduct a thorough digestion process to prepare each sample for accurate analysis.

How It Works

Order your test and we will mail you instructions along with everything you need to properly collect and package your sample. Send it back to our lab and results are delivered within 3 to 5 business days from the date your sample arrives.

Understanding Your Results

Lead results in solids can be expressed in different units and compared against different safety thresholds depending on the material tested, which can make them confusing to interpret on your own. Every test includes a free consultation with one of our in-house experts. Simply email us or give us a call after receiving your results and we will help you understand exactly what was found and what to do next.

This test is especially recommended for homeowners and renters in older homes, parents concerned about toys, cookware, or soil in play areas, anyone planning a renovation in a pre-1978 home, and homebuyers who want a complete picture of lead risk before closing.