QUESTION: Kit to test dust wipe samples for lead 04 Jul 2008 Victoria, Australia

We have recently painted our new home with the new "eco" paints however, my husband lightly sanded the window and door frames which caused paint dust in our house. Although I am not 100% whether the top coat paint which he sanded has lead, I know that the bottom coat may. We have a 1 year old that was in the house at the time and I am pregnant. I want to test the dust for lead. How do I do so? Where do I get a kit from?

Sarah

P.S. Is having a bottom layer of lead paint dangerous if two coats of lead-free paint is covering it?‍

ANSWER: 04 Jul 2008

Dear Sarah,

The only kit that allows you to collect a dust wipe sample (and other types of samples if you need to) and send the sample/s to a lab for analysis to give a result that can be compared to Australian and US standards is our kit. Please see the DIY - sampling / lab analysis lead kit ad so you can decide if you need two samples or eight and then phone or email your credit card details and phone number and I can post the kit to you today.

Yes, if the bottom layers of paint are leaded the sanding of the top unleaded layers may well get through to releasing lead paint dust but if it is not being sanded and attacked in any way (eg chewed) and if the paint is not peeling then it is acceptable (though not preferable) to leave the leaded paint underneath new paint. You just have to be aware that it's there and manage it lead-safely for ever.

Cheers

Elizabeth O’Brien