Get matched with top lead testing and removal specialists in Fort Stockton, TX

According to the EPA, there is no safe level of lead in the blood, and so the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for lead in water is zero. Even at low levels, lead is harmful to human health. It can also remain in the body and build up over time with repeated exposure.

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 testing for lead paint costs about $300, ranging from about $250 to $700, depending on the square footage, accessibility, and location. However, testing for lead paint with a DIY home-testing kit costs about $25, but doesn’t guarantee accurate results. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a lead test kit that complies with the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, which has strict criteria for ensuring a more accurate reading.

Common home surfaces to test for lead include:

• Walls

• Windows

• Doors

• Molding and trim

• Railings

How you test for lead in your water depends on the source of your home's water supply. If you have municipal water, your local water system may offer to test the water for free or may connect you to a lab that will perform the testing.

If you have a private well that provides drinking water, you are responsible for testing it for lead. Look for a lab that is accredited by your state's Department of Environmental Protection to perform the test.