Get matched with top lead testing and removal specialists in Mountain Grove, MO

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. 

When a surface that contains lead dust is disturbed, the dust can float about in the air for roughly an hour before settling again. Since you cannot see the dust, it is important always to wear protective gear when working with any materials that may contain lead paint and to keep children, pets, and others away from the area for as long as possible

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.

With regular testing, treatment, and maintenance, water from a community well should be safe to drink. Unfortunately, the EPA does not regulate private wells, and contamination can happen. 

If you have doubts about the quality and safety of your drinking water, you have options for testing. You can pick up kits from your local home supply store or harvest samples and send them to a local testing facility. To get the most complete water quality testing and system diagnosis, seek a local well professional. They know what to test for and can recommend and implement a longer-lasting solution.