Environmental Lead Program

HOMEOWNER/REALTOR INFORMATION
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When was the use of lead in paint banned?
2. How do I know if my home has lead-based paint?
3. Are lead test kits a good way to determine if the paint in my home contains lead?
4. Where can I obtain a lead test kit?
5. Whom can I call about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) lead disclosure requirement for real estate transactions (leases and sales)?
6. Where can I obtain copies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) lead disclosure pamphlet entitled "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home?"
7. Must I have my home inspected or tested for lead?
8. Where can I get information about lead in miniblinds?
9. Where can I get information about lead in playgrounds?
10. Where can I get information on lead-containing products, toys and crayons?

1. When was the use of lead in paint banned?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of lead-based paint in toys, furniture, schools and residences in 1978. Today, lead-based paint is considered to be paint containing more than 0.06% or 600 parts per million of lead.

2. How do I know if my home has lead-based paint?

Homes built prior to 1978 are likely to contain lead-based paint, and homes built prior to 1950 are even more likely to have lead-based paint. The only sure way to determine if your home has lead-based paint is to have it tested by a certified inspector or risk assessor.  For a list of certified Inspectors and Risk Assessors you may refer to this Web site or contact the Texas Department of State Health Service, Environmental Lead Program at (512) 834-6773 ext. 2434 or 1-888-778-9440.

Top Of Page

3. Are lead test kits a good way to determine if the paint in my home contains lead?

DSHS believes that lead test kits, sometimes available at home improvement stores and other sources, can be useful to determine if there is lead in your paint; however, the kits have limitations as they can only give you a positive or negative result - they cannot tell you the amount of lead that is present. Test kits can also give false negatives and false positives, especially if used improperly. As a result, if a lead abatement is to be conducted, or you need a legal statement confirming the presence or absence of lead-based paint, you must have a certified lead inspector or lead risk assessor conduct a lead inspection on your home. There are only two ways that these certified lead professionals can conduct lead inspections: 1) paint-chip collection and having the samples analyzed by an EPA-recognized laboratory; or through 2) X-ray fluorescence (XRF) detection. To find out who is certified by DSHS, check the certified Lead Inspectors and Lead Risk Assessors list webpage or contact the Texas Department of State Health Services, Environmental & Consumer Safety Section, Licensing Unit, at (512) 834-6600, ext. 2174, or toll-free at (888)-572-5548.

4. Where can I obtain a lead test kit?

Many home improvement stores and other hardware sources carry lead test kits.

Top Of Page

5. Whom can I call about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) lead disclosure requirement for real estate transactions (leases and sales)?

Questions about the lead disclosure rules should be directed to the National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-LEAD (5323) or the TSCA Hotline at (202) 554-1404. Visit the EPA's Web page for additional information on the federal lead disclosure rule.

6. Where can I obtain copies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) lead disclosure pamphlet entitled "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home?"

Single copies of the disclosure pamphlet can be obtained by calling the National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-LEAD (5323). Bulk copies can be obtained by calling the Government Printing Office at (202) 512-1800. Copies of "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home" pamphlet are also available to be downloaded from EPA's Web site.

Top Of Page

7. Must I have my home inspected or tested for lead?

No, the Texas Environmental Lead Reduction Rules (TELRR) do not require inspections. However, if an inspector or risk assessor is hired to check your home for lead, and your home is target housing, they must be certified by DSHS. To find out is certified by DSHS, check the "Locate Lead Firms, Lead Inspectors, Project Designers, and Risk Assessors" Web page or contact the Texas Department of State Health Service, Environmental & Colnsumer Safety Section, Licensing Unit, at (512) 834-6600 ext. 2174, or toll-free at (888) 572-5548.

8. Where can I get information about lead in miniblinds?

The DSHS Product Safety Program as well as the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission can provide information about lead in miniblinds.

Top Of Page

9. Where can I get information about lead in playgrounds?

The DSHS Product Safety Program as well as the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission can provide information about lead in playgrounds.

10. Where can I get information on lead-containing products, toys and crayons?

The DSHS Product Safety Program as well as the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission can provide information about lead in hazardous consumer products.

 

Back to the Top - Environmental Lead Program (ELP) Home - Links  - Contact Us - Search ELP
Texas Department of State Health Services - Division for Regulatory Services - Environmental Lead Program
1100 W. 49th Street- Austin, Texas 78756-3199 - (512) 834-6773 ext. 2434

Last Updated March 26, 2007