1. What is lead and what are its effects on humans

Most homeowners in the Portland, Oregon area are aware of the dangers of lead-based paint. But what is lead, and why should you be concerned about it?

Lead is a heavy metal that can be found in many products, including paint. When ingested or inhaled, lead can cause serious health problems, including brain damage, learning disabilities, and seizures. Children can be especially vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning, as their brains are still developing.

2. How does lead enter a home and what are the risks associated with it

In most homes in the Portland area, lead enters through the paint. Lead paint was used extensively in homes built before 1978, and as the paint begins to deteriorate, it can release lead into the air. This can happen through activities like sanding or painting over lead paint.

Lead dust can also settle on surfaces like floors and windowsills, where it can be ingested or inhaled by children and adults. When inhaled or ingested, even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems.

3. Oregon law about lead and how it affects homeowners

If your home was built before 1978 and you are hiring a contractor to work on your home, there are some things you need to know about Oregon Health Authority's rules.

They require that individuals and businesses performing renovation, repair, and painting projects on pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities (child care and schools) complete state-approved training and that they are certified in lead-safe work procedures.

If you are hiring a contractor, be sure to find out if they have the correct Construction Contractor's Board (CCB) licenses to do the work safely and in compliance with Oregon rules. You may even them to provide you with copies of these documents.

It's also worth knowing Ask to put specific language about lead-safe work practices in the contract. How will the project be set up? How will the work be done safely? What will be done to clean up at the end of each day and at the end of the project?

4. Lead testing - who should do it, when, and how

One of the first steps in any renovation project should be to test for lead. This is especially important if you have children in your home, as they are more susceptible to the effects of lead poisoning.

Here in the Portland area there are only a few sources approved by the the State of Oregon to test for lead. You can either bring in a sample from your home to be tested or have your contractor arranging the testing for you. Once you have the results of the test, you can determine what, if any, lead-based paint is present in your home.

5. What to do if you find lead in your home

If lead is found in your home, the first step is to bring in a licensed professional abatement service to identify and remove any sources of lead contamination. This might include removing or encapsulating lead-based paint, replacing contaminated soil, or taking other steps to clean up the lead. This can take some time and can be expensive, but it's important to do it right to protect your family's health.

After the professional abatement is complete, you should have the area re-tested to ensure that all sources of lead have been removed. Once you have a clean bill of health, you can proceed with your renovation project.