Get matched with top lead testing and removal specialists in Athena, OR

Professional lead testing services typically cost between $200 and $500, with the price varying based on the extent of testing and the specific areas tested within the property.

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. 

Determining if your water main contains lead involves a few steps. First, check the age of your property, as homes built before the 1980s might have lead pipes. Contact your water utility company for information on your service line material. Then, you can hire a professional plumber to conduct an inspection or use a lead testing kit to analyze water from the main line.