Testing for Lead in Paint

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The Lead Education and Abatement Design Group
Working to eliminate lead poisoning globally and to protect the
environment from lead in all its uses: past, current and new uses
ABN 25 819 463 114

Australians! Take action today. Is lead harming
you & your kids? Buy low cost, NATA accredited
laboratory lead test kits here. Sample your dust,
soil, water, paint, toys, jewellery, ceramics
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Keeping Australian Lead Out of Leaded Petrol Initiative.

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QUESTION: Testing for Lead in Paint, 24 Jun 2006, New South Wales Australia

Hi,
I am concerned that the paint in my rental home might be lead based. It is peeling coming off some parts of the walls. Where can I get it analysed? How can I have the house inspected and will this cost money? I have a young daughter living here and I was pregnant when living here so it is important I find out.

Thanks for your help.
Regards
Tracey Cole

ANSWER: 06 Jul 2006

Dear Tracey,

Update 2010: See The LEAD Group's - DIY - sampling / lab analysis lead kit

A laboratory that does lead testing of paint is Sydney Analytical Laboratories (SAL) Pty Ltd. The email is sydney_analytical@bigpond.com and the phone number is 98388903. You may want to contact them.

The most important test to organise would be a blood lead test on your young child through your GP. The lead result must be requested by the doctor when they send off the blood test request.

Your own blood lead result in no way acts as a substitute for your child's blood lead result - usually, the nutritional status and habits of adults and children are so different that the blood lead levels will vary widely with the child having typically the higher blood lead level.

Since you are in NSW and blood lead levels above 15 micrograms per decilitre in humans are a notifiable disease in NSW, if anyone in the family has a notifiable blood lead level, then the local Public Health Unit would normally undertake a free lead assessment of the home. This is a good reason to organise a blood lead test for all the family.

If no-one in the family has a notifiable blood lead level, then you can hire a lead assessor to do a lead assessment of the house. We recommend the services of CTI Consultants ph 97363911. I will also forward you our info pack on renting and lead.

I hope this helps and I'd be interested to hear how you go.
Regards,
Erik Wibowo