Lead Testing

Many homeowners and business owners in Portland OR, Vancouver WA, and Salem OR, are unsure if their buildings contain lead, especially in older structures. Many older homes and businesses may have lead-based paint or lead in the water or soil. 

Even a small amount of lead in your home or business can cause adverse health effects, including neurological and organ damage. Lead gets in your body by inhaling or investing it, which then goes through your bloodstream and bones. Its toxicity can be permanent and harmful, especially in children.

Some try to test for lead themselves using store-bought kits. While these can provide some information, they’re often not as accurate or comprehensive as professional testing. However, these tests can be inaccurate and may not detect all sources of lead. 

The best way to know for sure if your home or business has lead is to have it tested by professionals. At Atlas Labs, Inc., we offer professional lead testing services that provide accurate, thorough results with a quick turnaround time. Our certified lead testers use advanced techniques to detect lead in paint, soil, and other materials, giving you peace of mind and clear next steps.

Testing for Homeowners

If your home was built before 1978, it’s likely that lead is present in some surfaces. And if it was built before 1950, it’s much more likely that lead is present on the following surfaces:

  • Exterior walls
  • Stairs, railings, and banisters
  • Doors and door frames
  • Gutters
  • Kitchen cabinets
  • Cupboards
  • Window frames and sills
  • Porches and decks
  • Fences and gates

Testing for Businesses

Business owners in retail, food service, or industrial sectors are understandably concerned about lead in their commercial properties. Lead contamination can pose risks to employees and customers, and may lead to legal issues if not addressed.

Some attempt to manage this issue by conducting periodic visual inspections or using basic testing kits. However, these methods may not catch all lead sources or provide legally defensible results.

Professional Lead-Based Paint Testing

As this paint ages and starts to chip or peel, it can release dangerous lead dust into the air. This dust can be invisible, so you may not even know it’s there.

You can buy lead paint testing kits at many hardware stores. However, these tests can be difficult to use correctly and may not detect all layers of paint. If you don’t test properly, you could miss a potential lead hazard.

When you need to find out if a health hazard like lead exists in your space, speed is of the essence. And if you’re concerned about lead paint, the best thing to do is have it tested by professionals. Our lead (Pb) paint analysis is fast, convenient, and performed by experts. We use EPA-approved methods and provide detailed reports that can help you comply with regulations and protect your staff and customers.

Lead Testing

Lead Testing in Soil and Water

Lead contamination isn’t limited to paint. It can come from various sources including old plumbing or industrial pollution. Lead can also be present in soil from the removal or scraping of leaded exterior paint that lands on the ground. Lead can also be tracked indoors when it gets on your shoes. This is especially dangerous in areas where children are present, like playgrounds.

Our professional lead testing services include comprehensive soil and water testing. We use advanced laboratory techniques to detect even trace amounts of lead, helping you identify and address all potential lead hazards on your property.

Testing for Lead in Water

Buildings constructed before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder on copper pipes. Over time, this lead can leach into your drinking water, posing a serious health risk. Lead levels can vary depending on how long the water has been sitting in the pipes. 

You can buy lead water testing kits, but they may not tell the whole story. To get an accurate picture, you need to test at different times and from different faucets.

Our professional water testing looks for lead and other contaminants that can affect your health so you can get a complete picture of your water quality. 

Testing for Lead in Soil

Lead can end up in soil from a variety of sources, such as deteriorating exterior lead paint or past use of leaded gasoline. This contaminated soil can be a hazard, particularly for children who play outside. Lead levels can vary widely from one spot to another, so a single test may not give you the full picture.

We use state-of-the-art equipment to test multiple soil samples from different depths and locations around your property. This thorough testing can pinpoint any areas of lead contamination so you can take steps to make your yard safe.

FAQs

Our certified lead testing laboratory uses advanced techniques to accurately detect lead in various materials. We carefully extract samples from your property and analyze them.

Absolutely. A lead test is a worthwhile investment in your health and safety. Identifying lead levels allows you to take necessary precautions and plan for safe removal or encapsulation.

While buying a house with lead-based paint is not ideal, it doesn’t have to be a complete deal-breaker. The key is to have a thorough lead paint test conducted by professionals like us. With a clear understanding of the location and condition of lead-based paint, you can make an informed decision and plan for necessary remediation or maintenance to form a safe living environment.

The cost of a test varies depending on the size and complexity of your property. We offer competitive rates and will provide you with a detailed quote based on your specific needs.

How to Bring in a Sample

When bringing in a sample for asbestos and lead testing, please put the suspect material in a sealable sandwich bag before bringing it to our lab. The sample size should be thumbnail size to 3 inches by 3 inches at the largest. When selecting the location from which to draw your sample, find one that has all of the layers of a material present that need to be tested.
We believe that no elements are too small to ignore, from the quality of your indoor air to the particulate matter floating around your space. When you put your asbestos and lead assessment needs in the hands of our capable professionals, you can rest assured our work and restoration services will help you stay up to code with the following groups:

EPA

(Environmental Protection Agency)

DEQ

(Department of Environmental Quality)

OSHA

(Occupational Safety & Health Organization)

Before you begin your project, please bring in a sample to find out what you are dealing with before disturbing it. Count on our skilled technicians for a quality assessment today.

Portland OR, Vancouver WA, and Salem OR’s Lead Test Laboratory

Even small amounts of lead are worth detecting and addressing. Don’t let uncertainty about lead put your health at risk! Atlas Labs, Inc.’s certified lead testers provide quick, thorough, reliable lead testing services for Portland OR, Vancouver WA, and Salem OR homes and businesses. We use the latest technology and techniques to accurately test for lead in paint, water, soil, or any other materials.

At our lead testing lab, we understand that you want to be sure your home or business is safe for your family, employees, or customers. Our experienced technicians will carefully collect samples, thoroughly test them, and provide you with a detailed report.

Lead Testing Services in Vancouver WA, Portland OR, & Salem OR

Atlas Labs delivers the most accurate asbestos and lead paint testing throughout Oregon and Washington.

Portland OR | Salem OR | Gresham OR | Beaverton OR | Hillsboro OR | Tigard OR

Vancouver WA | Camas WA | Battle Ground WA | Orchards WA | Ridgefield WA

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