⚠️ 24 Million Homes at Risk
If your home was built before 1978, there's an 87% chance it contains lead paint. Even small amounts of lead dust cause permanent brain damage in children under 6. Here's how to spot it before it harms your family.
Lead paint was banned in 1978, but it remains in 38 million US homes. The danger isn't the intact paint—it's the dust created when lead paint chips, cracks, or gets disturbed during renovations. Children exposed to lead suffer lower IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems that last a lifetime.
Why Lead Paint is So Dangerous
Lead doesn't leave your body. It accumulates in bones and organs, causing permanent damage. Young children are especially vulnerable because their brains are still developing and they absorb lead 4-5x more efficiently than adults.
Health Effects of Lead Exposure:
In Children:
- • Permanent IQ reduction
- • Learning disabilities
- • Behavioral problems
- • Slowed growth
- • Hearing problems
- • Anemia
In Adults:
- • High blood pressure
- • Kidney damage
- • Reproductive problems
- • Memory issues
- • Nerve damage
- • Miscarriage risk
There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Even levels once considered "acceptable" are now known to cause harm.
Sign #1: Your Home Was Built Before 1978
This is the biggest indicator. Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978, but homes built before then almost certainly contain it. The older the home, the more lead paint it likely has.
Lead Paint Risk by Home Age:
- Built before 1940: 87% contain lead paint (often multiple layers)
- Built 1940-1959: 69% contain lead paint
- Built 1960-1977: 24% contain lead paint
- Built 1978 or later: Lead paint was banned (but imported materials may still contain traces)
Check your city's lead paint risk percentage →
Sign #2: Chipping or Peeling Paint
Lead paint becomes dangerous when it deteriorates. Look for:
- Paint chips on floors or windowsills - These create lead dust that children can ingest
- Cracking or "alligatoring" patterns - Paint breaking into scale-like patterns
- Peeling near moisture - Bathrooms, kitchens, exterior trim exposed to rain
- Chalky residue - Paint degrading into powder (extremely dangerous)
⚠️ High-Risk Areas for Lead Paint:
Windows and window frames (friction creates dust), doors and door frames, stairs, railings, porches, exterior trim. These surfaces get the most wear and generate the most lead dust.
Sign #3: Painted Surfaces That Get Rubbed
Friction areas create invisible lead dust even when paint looks fine. The most dangerous spots:
- Window sills and frames - Opening/closing windows grinds paint into fine dust
- Door frames and edges - Constant contact wears down paint
- Stair railings - Hand contact creates gradual wear
- Cabinets and drawers - Sliding/closing mechanisms grind surfaces
Even if you can't see visible damage, these friction points are generating lead dust. Children playing on windowsills or touching railings then putting hands in their mouths get direct exposure.
Sign #4: Renovations Reveal Old Paint Layers
Scraping, sanding, or demolishing old paint releases massive amounts of lead dust. If you're renovating a pre-1978 home and see multiple paint layers underneath, assume lead is present.
🚨 NEVER Do This Without Lead Testing:
- • Sanding old paint (creates airborne lead dust)
- • Dry scraping (releases particles you'll breathe)
- • Using heat guns above 750°F (vaporizes lead)
- • Power washing painted surfaces (spreads contamination)
- • Demolition without containment (lead dust goes everywhere)
If you're planning renovations on a pre-1978 home, test first, renovate second. Lead-safe work practices cost more but prevent poisoning your family.
Sign #5: Chalky or Dusty Window Sills
Run your finger across old window sills. If you see a chalky powder or dusty residue, that could be deteriorating lead paint. This is especially common on:
- Windows facing south or west (sun exposure accelerates breakdown)
- Exterior trim that gets rain and humidity
- Areas where paint was applied over glossy surfaces (poor adhesion = faster deterioration)
Children playing near these windows or touching the sills can ingest lead dust. Even small amounts—invisible to the naked eye—are dangerous.
How to Test for Lead Paint
Visual inspection isn't enough. The only way to know for sure is testing. You have two options:
Option 1: DIY Test Kits (Quick Screening)
Lead test swabs give instant results. They're EPA-recognized and accurate for identifying lead presence, though they can't tell you the exact concentration.
3M LeadCheck Swabs
EPA-recognized instant test
Most popular DIY option. Swab changes color if lead is present. Test multiple surfaces (windows, doors, trim, walls). Results in 30 seconds.
How to use:
- Dip the swab into lead-free water to activate chemicals
- Rub swab on painted surface for 30 seconds
- If swab turns red/dark red, lead is present
- Test multiple areas (lead may be in some layers but not others)
PRO-LAB Lead Surface Test Kit
Professional-grade testing
More sensitive than swabs. Can detect lead in paint, dust, and soil. Includes detailed instructions for sampling.
View on Amazon →Option 2: Professional Inspection (Most Accurate)
Certified lead inspectors use XRF analyzers that instantly measure lead concentration without damaging surfaces. They test all painted surfaces and provide a detailed report.
Cost: $300-500 for a typical home. Worth it if you're buying a pre-1978 home, have young children, or planning major renovations.
What To Do If You Find Lead Paint
Don't panic, but don't ignore it. Here's your action plan:
1. If Paint is Intact: Leave It Alone
Intact lead paint that's not chipping, peeling, or in friction areas is relatively safe. Don't disturb it. Cover it with new paint or wallpaper if you want extra protection.
2. If Paint is Deteriorating: Contain and Clean
Keep children away from the area. Clean up paint chips with a damp cloth (never dry sweep—it spreads dust). Use a HEPA vacuum if available. Hire a certified lead abatement contractor for permanent fixes.
3. For Renovations: Hire EPA-Certified Contractors
Federal law requires contractors working on pre-1978 homes to be EPA Lead-Safe Certified. They use containment, HEPA vacuums, and wet methods to prevent dust spread. Find certified contractors at epa.gov/lead
4. Consider Encapsulation or Removal
Encapsulation (covering lead paint with sealant) is cheaper ($1,000-3,000) but temporary.Full removal is permanent but expensive ($8,000-15,000+) and must be done by certified professionals.
5. Test Your Children's Blood
If you discover deteriorating lead paint and have children under 6, ask your pediatrician for a blood lead test. It's a simple finger prick. Early detection allows intervention before permanent damage.
Prevention Tips
- Clean regularly: Wet-mop floors and wipe window sills weekly to remove dust
- Remove shoes: Lead dust tracked in from outside soil contributes to exposure
- Wash hands and toys: Children's hands and toys pick up lead dust easily
- Maintain painted surfaces: Fix chipping paint immediately before it spreads
- Use doormats: Capture lead-contaminated soil before it enters your home
Final Thoughts
If your home was built before 1978, assume lead paint is present until proven otherwise. Test the areas your family touches most—windows, doors, railings. If you find lead, take action proportional to the risk: contain deteriorating paint, clean regularly, and hire certified professionals for any renovation work.
Lead poisoning is 100% preventable. Don't let your home be the reason your child struggles in school.
Check Your City's Lead Paint Risk
Find out what percentage of homes in your area contain lead paint, estimated homes at risk, and testing recommendations.
View Your City Report →📋 Affiliate Disclosure
Home Hazards Report is reader-supported. When you purchase lead test kits through our Amazon affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend EPA-recognized products. Our safety guides are independent and unaffected by affiliate relationships.