Lead Paint Inspection

Lead Paint Inspection & Assessment

Are you at risk? Is your child at risk?

Millions of homes built before 1978 contain lead paint. This highly toxic substance can pose serious health hazards if you don't take the proper precautions. Lead poisoning produces irreversible effects on children under the age of six, including intellectual deficiency. Adult exposure to too much lead will lead to high blood pressure, nerve disorders, and memory and concentration problems.

Although lead is no longer used in paints, gasoline or water pipes, lead paint is still present in an estimated 24 million U.S. homes. More than 400,000 children ages 1 to 5 years living in the United States today have a dangerous level of lead in their blood.


Lead poisoning symptoms in children include:

  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Sluggishness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Anemia



Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause permanent damage in children. These serious health problems lead to nervous system and kidney damage, learning disabilities and speech, language, and behavior problems. 


Why should you have your home inspected and evaluated for lead hazards and risks?

  • Your child has lead poisoning. The most common source of lead exposure is home-based sources, primarily deteriorating lead-based paint and the resulting dust.


  • You live in a home built before 1978 where small children are or will be living.


  • You are about to remodel or do anything that will disturb lead-based paint or generate lead-based paint dust and chips that can harm you and your family.


  • You are renting or buying a home. When buying a home, federal law allows the purchaser the opportunity to conduct testing to determine if lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards are present. This is especially important if you have (or plan to have) young children in the home.



  • Anytime you are concerned about possible lead exposure to you, your family and pets, or visitors.

Harvard Environmental Services conducts:

Lead Inspections to identify potential sources of lead exposure

We perform a surface-by-surface investigation to determine whether there is lead-based paint in a home or child-occupied facility, and where it is located. Inspections can be performed legally only by certified inspectors. Lead-based paint inspections determine the presence of lead in paint, dust, and soil using precise testing. It is particularly helpful in identifying where lead is present prior to purchasing, renting, or renovating a home, and to identify potential sources of lead exposure at any time. 

Lead Risk Assessments to determine severity of current exposure and help design solutions

We conduct an on-site investigation to determine the presence, type, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards (including lead hazards in paint, dust, and soil) and provide recommendations to control them. Risk assessments can be performed legally only by certified risk assessors. Lead-based paint risk assessments are particularly helpful in determining sources of current exposure and in designing possible solutions.

You can have a combined inspection and risk assessment.

Protect your family and get your home checked for lead hazards today!

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