Lead

Lead was used as a major ingredient in interior and exterior oil based paint up until the 1950s, with some paints containing as much as 50% lead. Lead is a highly toxic substance that affects nearly every system in the human body. While adults can also suffer from excessive lead exposures, the groups most at risk are children under the age of six, who can be affected by lead even in small doses. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed regulations for workers that may be exposed to lead.

Not limited to the housing sector, the OSHA regulations apply to any project where workers may be exposed to lead dust. Typical demolition activities that generate excessive lead dust are sanding, grinding, or torching of painted surfaces containing lead. Most retail and commercial developers will not hesitate to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment or an Asbestos Survey, but very few request that suspect lead-based paint be sampled so a written report can be provided to a contractor prior to renovation or demolition activities.

The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidelines were developed in 1990 for the sole purpose of reducing the lead hazards posed by paint, dust, and soil in residential environments. The HUD Guidelines are extensive, and include specific training requirements, inspection and assessment guidelines, and abatement activities for lead paint, lead contaminated dust, and lead in soil. In 1978, lead-based paint was banned for use in residential paint. However, lead-based paint is still present in many older homes and commercial properties. Watterson has extensive experience in lead sampling and can provide the following services or consultation:

Commercial and industrial lead-based paint inspections
Residential and commercial lead abatement design and abatement oversight
HUD based lead-based paint inspections and risk assessments
Settled lead dust sampling
Lead air sampling

Lead-based paint can be a costly and time consuming issue for a building owner during a renovation or demolition project. Watterson has performed many lead inspections while on-site performing an asbestos inspection. The additional cost for a lead inspection component is negligible and may save a building owner thousands of dollars and time if incorporated during other due diligence efforts.

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