LEAD EXPOSURE CAN HARM YOUNG CHILDREN AND BABIES EVEN BEFORE THEY ARE BORN

PEOPLE CAN GET LEAD IN THEIR BODIES BY BREATHING OR SWALLOWING LEAD DUST OR BY EATING SOIL OR PAINT CHIPS WITH LEAD IN THEM

LEAD PAINT INSPECTIONS CAN IDENTIFY ALL AREAS OF CONCERN BEFORE PROBLEMS ARISE

THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR REDUCING LEAD HAZARDS

REMOVING LEAD-BASED PAINT IMPROPERLY CAN INCREASE THE DANGER TO YOUR FAMILY

lead paint

LEAD PAINT AS A HEALTH HAZARD 
Lead was used in paint to make the paint more durable and to last longer. In the United States 1.7 million children (one out of every 11 children) have blood-lead levels above safe limits, mostly due to exposure to lead-based paint hazards at home. How does this happen? People can get lead in their bodies by ingesting material containing lead or even by absorbing lead dust through their skin. For children, who are prone to putting things in their mouths, the hazards are everywhere - window sills, doors, stairs, railing, porches and fences. Lead dust is barely visible and can get on almost anything. Children are particularly susceptible to poisoning because their bodies absorb more lead than adults and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

LEAD PAINT AS A LEGAL ISSUE
Laws surrounding lead-based paint have been passed that affect all real estate transactions, including sales and leasing. Title X (the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 and effective on all real estate transactions that take place on or after December 6, 1996), is considered to be the most comprehensive and significant lead poisoning prevention legislation in more than two decades. The seller or lessor of housing is now required to:

• Disclose to the purchaser or lessee any known presence of lead-based paint including any available reports.
• Provide the purchaser or lessee with lead hazard literature.
• Give the purchaser a 10-day opportunity to conduct a risk assessment and/or inspection.
• Attach specific disclosure and warning language in the sales or lease contract.

LEAD PAINT TESTING AND REMEDIATION
At GAC, our licensed professionals will test all surfaces for lead hazards. Testing includes: collecting information on the age and history of the dwelling, information on occupancy by children under the age of six, and an overall visual inspection of potential lead hazards by a licensed, trained professional. If lead is found, there are many abatement options available such as removal, encapsulation, repair and enclosure. Take the next step towards protecting yourself and your family. 

Call our offices to schedule a lead-based paint assessment and inspection.