John Bendall owner of Re/Max Classic Group says that recent toy recalls have brought lead paint concerns to the front of home owners’ minds.

All across the country, Central New Jersey included, parents have spent the last couple of months going back and forth from the toy box to the computer searching for serial numbers and photos of the latest toys recalled due to the presence of lead paint.  This has brought concern about lead paint in the home to the forefront of many home owners’ minds.  So I decided to review some of the basics, to educate, and hopefully alleviate some of these concerns.

Firstly, if your home was built after 1978 you probably don’t’ have any need for concern.  It was at that point that the possible dangers of lead paint were discovered and the common use of lead paint in the home was discontinued.   If your home was built before 1978 and has painted surfaces it is fairly likely that it contains lead paint.  This does not necessarily mean that the lead paint in your home poses a danger.  If the paint has been painted over and there is no evidence of chips or dust it is fairly safe. The danger of lead paint comes when there is chipping and flaking, usually found around windows and trim.   Other areas to keep an eye on are any places that children could possibly chew on such as stair rails and banisters.

Lead can be a danger to adults as well as children.  Lead poisoning can cause damage to brain and nervous system, headaches, hearing problems, high blood pressure, muscle and joint paint, and reproductive problems.  The reason more emphasis is placed on the dangers to children is that they are far more likely to ingest lead.  If you have small children you know that anything that they can fit in there mouth goes in there mouth!  For that reason chipping lead paint can pose a danger if it finds its way into little mouths Paint chips can be eaten, and dust containing lead can get onto the hands of small children and be passed into their mouths. 

If you are unsure if your home contains lead paint or not you may want to test for it.  There are home test kits available, but they are not thought to be particularly accurate.  A trained, certified professional can conduct a visual inspection of your home, use a portable X-ray fluorescent machine, conduct lab tests on paint, dust, and soil, or do any combination of the three. 

The Re/Max Classic Group offices in Branchburg, Berkeley Heights, Basking Ridge, and West Milford all offer education for home buyers and sellers on Lead Paint.  If there is known lead paint in a home sellers are required to disclose it.  For more information and and educational booklet about lead paint contact me at john@bendallgroup.com. 

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