Visual inspection and dust wipe sampling will help identify lead paint hazards in your home. A certified EPA Lead Dust Sampling Technician will perform the inspection.
What is lead and its associated hazards?
Lead is a toxic, naturally occurring element and heavy metal in our environment that is widely used in commercial products such as gasoline, paint, cosmetics, spices, and pottery. Lead exposure in children can cause nervous system and kidney damage, learning disabilities, attention-deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence. It can also cause behavior, speech, and language problems, hearing damage, decreased muscle and bone growth, and poor muscle coordination.
What is a visual assessment?
A visual assessment examines all painted building components for deteriorated paint or visible surface dust, debris, or residue. The inspector will also look for paint chips or dust from painting activities that were not cleaned up and paint residue on floors.
What are dust wipe samplings?
Dust wipe sampling is collected by wiping a representative surface, including floors (both carpeted and uncarpeted), interior windowsills, and other similar surfaces, and testing following a method approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These samples must be undertaken properly to ensure that the results are accurate.
What certification do we offer?
We are EPA-certified lead dust sampling technicians and can provide post-renovation Lead Dust Clearance for home renovators. Homeowners and buyers concerned about lead exposure can test for lead, but no certification is available for this purpose. All inspectors follow EPA standards, and the results are valid. A lead dust results report is issued when dust wipe sampling is performed.
THIS IS NOT THE NJ LEAD-SAFE CERTIFICATION FOR RENTAL UNITS
This is NOT the NJ Lead-Safe Certification for rentals, a new NJ law that took effect on July 22, 2022. This law applies to rental dwellings built in 1978 or later. The law is still in flux and may change in the coming months. For more information, read Lead-Based Paint Inspections in Rental Dwelling Units and a list of certified lead evaluation contractors from the NJ Department of Community Affairs. (These are external links and may change at any time.)
Below is a bulletin from the Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development & Commerce as a courtesy to Jersey City landlords.
Optimal Home Inspections LLC is a Lead-Safe EPA Certified Firm NAT-F238931-1
