Lead Testing And Dust Removal

Posted on: 23 August 2022

Wet washing is an effective way to eliminate lead dust from walls, windowsills, doors, and other structural materials. The use of a vacuum that contains a HEPA filter will remove dust from floor coverings and fabric window panels. A lead testing process should be conducted prior to cleaning surfaces that contain lead.

Lead Testing

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has outlined testing and cleaning procedures for surfaces within a structure that may contain lead. A contractor may be required to follow various steps at the onset of a construction project. If renovations are being performed in a home, lead testing may take place first. Paints and other materials may contain lead.

Products that contain lead are banned from being used for modern construction jobs. Lead-based materials could be found in older building materials, however. Lead testing will involve taking a sample of a surface and sending it to a laboratory. Lead can be dangerous if ingested. A chipped paint sample or a cloth that has been wiped across a surface that may contain lead can be tested. Lead testing will provide accurate results.

Lead dust could become airborne during construction. If so, a construction crew may be required to wear protective clothing and to eliminate all of the materials that contain lead. After disposing of the materials, the interior of a residence should be professionally cleaned.

Cleaning Efforts

Cleaning surfaces will be necessary if there is a chance that lead dust is present. If there won't be any construction taking place in the near future, but lead dust has been detected, a homeowner should hire a cleaning company to perform lead dust removal. A wet washing technique involves using a detergent and a lint-free cloth or sponge. Detergent and water may be mixed together.

A cleaning tool will be used to wipe off surfaces where dust has been located. A cleaning crew will assess floor coverings within a home. They may use a vacuum that contains a HEPA filter to remove all of the dust particles that are within a residence. If any clothing or other fabric materials have lead dust on them, they should be laundered in a washing machine.

The detergent and water, plus the agitation that a washing machine is responsible for, will eliminate dust particles. Surfaces that contain lead-based paint or another material that contains lead should be inspected as needed. If any renovations will ever take place, a contractor may advise that former building materials are disposed of.

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