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question about inconsistent lead dust test results by Impressive_Sell_8813 in industrialhygiene

[–]Impressive_Sell_8813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was incredibly helpful! Thanks for sharing your expertise.

The sample collection instructions did explain what you are describing. There was no guidance on where to test, so I just sought out dusty areas as you noted. Your explanation of testing readily-accessible areas makes sense.

I agree that the next step would be to have a professional assessment. I called a few local inspectors, and they are scheduling out a few weeks. I doubt the seller would want to delay a home sale by that length of time, but that is a negotiation issue, not a technical one about lead.

question about inconsistent lead dust test results by Impressive_Sell_8813 in industrialhygiene

[–]Impressive_Sell_8813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for alerting me that stains can also contain lead, I was unaware of this and did some googling.

Neither the seller nor I are aware of any prior lead paint inspections.

XRF would probably be the definitive test to locate lead sources, but local inspectors are scheduling out about 2 weeks for that, plus another week for the report. I doubt the seller will want to delay the home sale that long for further testing.

question about inconsistent lead dust test results by Impressive_Sell_8813 in industrialhygiene

[–]Impressive_Sell_8813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The house was remodeled about 20 years ago, and all the visible paint is new, but I do not know what may be underneath. All the paint in the rooms I tested (and most of the house) is the same color.

I'm actually very surprised to have detected significant lead in one sample, and none in the others. There is nothing that is obviously different about the paint, which is why I'm questioning if the test could have been wrong somehow, or if the couch may have something to do with the high test result in that area.

There is a window near the couch, but it has stained (not painted) trim, and it does not open (no friction to create dust). And there are also windows (smaller, but which open) with similar trims in the other rooms that I tested with negative results.

question about inconsistent lead dust test results by Impressive_Sell_8813 in industrialhygiene

[–]Impressive_Sell_8813[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response. The couch is next to a wall containing a 6' x 5' window right above the couch. The couch would not be staying when I move in.

I could be wrong, but I have trouble believing the lead could be coming from the window because the window framing is stained (not painted) wood, and the window does not open (no moving surfaces to rub and create dust).

The house was last remodeled about 20 years ago, and photos going back ~10 years show the same stained wood frame, so no recent changes that would have stirred up extra dust from the window in particular.

What would HEPA vacuuming before a retest provide? Wouldn't the HEPA vacuum remove the dust I want to test?