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Lead toxicity comes from inhaling lead or consuming it. Before the 1980s, when the government banned lead from consumer use, it could be found in paint, plumbing, pipes, ceramics, and even gasoline. Lead paint is toxic for the same reason lead itself is toxic, which is why lead poisoning from paint presents the same as lead poisoning from water or food sources, with a slight increase in respiratory symptoms vs. digestive symptoms. Lead paint is most dangerous when it’s old and peeling, cracking, or otherwise disturbed. This increases the concentration in the air and, therefore, in breathable air. 

Professional lead-paint abatement companies use a variety of methods to remove lead-based paint, depending on each particular situation. Some of the most common methods include:

• Total removal: $8–$17 per square foot

• Demolition and replacement: $1,000–$15,000 per project

• Encapsulation: $4 per square foot

• Enclosure: $10 per square foot

• Chemical stripping: $10–$17 per square foot

You do not have to remove lead paint if the surface is not chipping or peeling or if there are no pregnant people or children under the age of six who live in or regularly visit your home. Lead paint is a particular risk for young children whose brains and bodies are not fully developed. Experts strongly recommend that you call a pro to remove lead paint if it’s peeling or flaking, no matter who lives in the home. You can experience lead poisoning by breathing in or ingesting just a small amount of it.

If lead is detected in a property, steps should include arranging for professional removal or containment, notifying all occupants, and implementing interim safety measures to reduce exposure.