Get matched with top lead testing and removal specialists in Charleston, MS

Results from professional lead testing are typically available within a few days to a week (2-7 days), depending on factors like laboratory processing times and the volume of samples being analyzed. Expedited services may also be available for urgent situations.

If your house was built before 1978 and you’re noticing cracking or peeling paint, a lead paint inspection is a good idea. A lead paint inspection gives you accurate information about the presence, location, and condition of lead-based paint in your home. This information is essential for making informed decisions about lead paint removal to ensure your safety and health and that of your family. If your inspector finds lead, you’ll need to take steps to manage or remove the lead-based paint and comply with laws and regulations.

While the EPA provides guidelines for homeowners to perform DIY lead paint removal, it is a risky process and generally not recommended due to serious health risks and strict regulatory requirements. The process requires precise safety precautions, such as wearing a respirator and protective eyeglasses, creating sealed exits, and using a HEPA vacuum for cleanup. To ensure the job is done safely, effectively, and in compliance with regulations, it is highly recommended to hire a professional lead abatement company. Certified professionals have the necessary training, experience, and specialized equipment (like chemical strippers and HEPA vacuums) to handle and dispose of hazardous materials safely.

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.