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Lead Safety Certification

Most lead poisonings in Maine are caused by exposure to dust from old lead paint. More than 60% of the housing in Maine may have lead paint in it. Children under six years of age are most at risk of lead poisoning. Every year, hundreds of children in Maine are found to have elevated blood lead levels. Lead can cause learning disabilities and behavioral problems that last a lifetime. Most children are poisoned by lead hazards in their homes. Exposure to lead is most common in buildings built before 1950 (when paint contained up to 50% lead), and in buildings built before 1978 when repainting or remodeling is done.

What is a lead hazard?


A lead hazard is any condition that may cause exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, lead-contaminated water or lead-based paint that is in poor condition. Maine DEP regulations define the paint conditions and amounts of lead in dust, soil and water that constitute a lead hazard. It is possible to have lead paint in a home without it being a lead hazard.
By law, lead hazards may only be identified by a Maine-licensed lead inspector or risk assessor in the course of a lead inspection. Lead inspections may be performed to comply with a licensing requirement, as requested prior to a real estate sale, as part of a lead poisoning investigation, or because an owner wants to learn where there are lead hazards and lead paint in a home.

If you, or someone you know, plan on doing rennovation work to a home or building that was built before 1976 then please Contact Us and Maine Building & Development would be more than happy to do a lead safety test.