Assume testing comes first in a pre-1978 home
If your home was built before 1978, treat old paint as a possible lead paint issue until you have evidence otherwise. That does not mean you must panic, and it does not mean every wall is a hazard. It means testing, lead-safe work practices, and careful cleanup should come before scraping, sanding, or repainting old surfaces. A calm, planned approach protects children, adults, and pets, and it avoids spreading dust through a house that was otherwise safe.
Lead paint in good condition is usually not an immediate hazard. The EPA and HUD note that lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, but deteriorating paint that peels, chips, chalks, or cracks needs prompt attention. The danger is mainly dust and chips created when paint breaks down or is disturbed. That is why a repainting job in an older home is also a dust control job, even when the new color is the main goal.
Why 1978 is the dividing line
Lead was added to paint for durability, color, and resistance to moisture, and it was used widely in homes for many decades. In 1978, the federal government banned lead-based paint for residential use in the United States. Homes built after that date should not have lead paint from new work, though older paint could still be present if a later owner reused old materials or painted over an older surface without removing it.
The dividing line matters for rules as well as for history. The EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule applies to paid work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The EPA states that federal law requires firms working in pre-1978 housing to be certified, and that firm certification helps ensure training and lead-safe work practices (EPA, RRP Firm Certification). Some states run their own authorized programs, so the exact certifying body can vary, but the principle is the same: paid work in an older home should follow lead-safe rules.
For buyers and renters, disclosure rules add another layer. Most pre-1978 housing sales and leases require the seller or landlord to share known information about lead paint and to provide the pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home. That pamphlet is a useful starting point even if you are not buying or selling, since it explains how lead gets into the body, how children are affected, and what steps reduce exposure.
Where lead paint is most likely to hide
Lead paint is not always obvious. It can sit under several newer coats, on trim that has been repainted many times, or on surfaces that look sound from a distance. The places to check first are the places that move, rub, or take wear. Window sashes, window sills, door frames, stair railings, baseboards, and porch railings are common friction and impact surfaces. Each time a window sticks, a door slams, or a stair rail is gripped, tiny amounts of paint can wear into dust.
Exterior surfaces matter too. Porch floors, railings, siding, and trim on older homes often carry old lead paint, and chips can fall into soil near the house. Children who play in bare soil near a porch or a foundation can pick up that dust on hands and shoes. The EPA advises guiding children to play in grassy areas rather than bare soil near older buildings, and washing hands after outdoor play (EPA, Actions to Reduce Lead Exposure).
Dust, chips, and soil: how exposure happens
Lead exposure from paint usually happens through dust and chips, not through a solid, intact wall. Dust settles on floors, sills, and toys, and young children can swallow it when they put hands or objects in their mouths. Chips that peel onto a floor or into soil can also be swallowed. Adults can breathe in dust during sanding, scraping, or demolition, and can track it through a house on shoes and clothing.
Young children are especially vulnerable, since their growing bodies absorb lead more readily and their brains and nervous systems are still developing. The EPA notes that lead exposure is preventable, and that protecting children under six is a priority because their growing bodies are especially vulnerable to harmful and permanent impacts (EPA, Actions to Reduce Lead Exposure). Pregnant people also need care, since lead stored in bone can be released during pregnancy. Those facts explain why lead-safe work is not just about the painter. It is about everyone who lives in, visits, or cleans the house during and after the work.
Soil near an older home deserves a separate check. Paint chips from years of peeling can raise lead levels in soil near walls and porches. Covering bare soil with grass or mulch, washing hands after gardening, and removing shoes at the door can reduce tracking dust inside.
Testing, inspection, and risk assessment in plain terms
Testing gives you a basis for decisions, rather than a guess based on age alone. A paint inspection tests surfaces to find out whether lead paint is present, and where. A risk assessment goes further: it looks for lead hazards in paint, dust, and soil, and it considers how people actually use the home. Both should be done by a certified inspector or risk assessor, not by a general painter alone.
Home test kits can be a first screen, but they have limits. A kit may miss lead paint under other layers, or give a result that needs lab confirmation. A paint chip sent to a lab recognized by the EPA gives a more reliable answer for that specific spot. If a test shows no lead on a tested surface, that does not prove the whole house is lead free. Different rooms, different trim, and different layers can vary, so a professional will test a representative set of surfaces.
The EPA also sets dust-lead levels that guide risk assessors. In its October 2024 rule, the EPA lowered post-abatement dust levels and noted that there is no level of lead in blood found to be safe for children (EPA, Hazard Standards). A certified professional should interpret those levels, and cleanup after work should be checked, not assumed.
What lead-safe work looks like on site
Lead-safe work is visible, and you can recognize it without technical training. The work area should be sealed off with plastic sheeting, with furniture removed or covered, and with vents and doorways sealed where appropriate. Surfaces should be kept damp during scraping and sanding, to keep dust down. Dry scraping over large areas, dry sanding with power tools without a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and open flame burning are prohibited practices under the RRP Rule, and they are also the fastest ways to spread dust.
A certified renovator should be assigned to the job, and workers should be trained in lead-safe practices. The EPA notes that, in general, anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing must be certified, including sole proprietorships (EPA, RRP Contractors). Before work starts, the firm should provide the Renovate Right pamphlet and explain containment, daily cleanup, and final cleaning. After work, the area should be cleaned with HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping, and checked visually, with dust testing where required.
For a closer look at painting work in general, see the exterior house painting and interior painting service pages.
Living in the house while work is under way
During lead work, keep children, pregnant people, and pets out of the work area until work and cleaning are complete. Do not eat, drink, or store food in a work area, and do not use a regular household vacuum on lead dust, since it can spread fine particles. Wash hands and faces after being near work, and change out of work clothes before entering clean rooms.
Daily habits help between professional visits. The EPA advises cleaning once a week with a wet cloth, sponge, or mop, wiping sills and hard surfaces, and cleaning up peeling paint promptly with a wet wipe (EPA, Actions to Reduce Lead Exposure). Those steps do not replace testing or lead-safe repainting, but they reduce everyday dust in a home where old paint is present. If paint is deteriorating fast, if dust is widespread, or if a child has a high blood lead level, seek professional advice promptly rather than waiting for a planned repaint.
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Sources
- EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Firm Certification: https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program-firm-certification
- EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors: https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program-contractors
- EPA, Actions to Reduce Potential Lead Exposure: https://www.epa.gov/lead/actions-reduce-potential-lead-exposure
- EPA, Hazard Standards and Clearance Levels for Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil: https://www.epa.gov/lead/hazard-standards-and-clearance-levels-lead-paint-dust-and-soil-tsca-sections-402-and-403
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Common questions
Does every pre-1978 home contain lead paint?
No, not every pre-1978 home contains lead paint, but the chance is high enough that testing or lead-safe practices are wise before disturbing old paint. The risk rises with age, since lead paint was more common in earlier decades. A test by a certified inspector or risk assessor, or a lab analysis of a paint chip, gives a clearer answer than age alone.
Is lead paint dangerous if it is in good condition?
Lead paint in good condition, with no peeling, chipping, or chalking, is usually not an immediate hazard, according to EPA and HUD guidance. The risk grows when paint deteriorates, when friction surfaces rub and create dust, or when work disturbs the paint. Keep surfaces in good repair, clean dust with wet methods, and plan any repainting with lead-safe practices in mind.
Can I paint over lead paint myself?
Homeowners working on their own home are not covered by the same certification rule that applies to paid firms, but the health risks are the same. Avoid dry scraping, dry sanding, and open flame methods that create dust. Use wet methods, containment, and careful cleanup, and consider hiring a certified firm for larger jobs. When in doubt, get a professional assessment before you start.
What should I ask a painter about lead safety?
Ask whether the firm is certified under the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, whether a certified renovator will be assigned to the job, and what containment and cleanup steps they will use. Ask for the Renovate Right pamphlet before work starts, and ask how they will keep children and pets out of the work area. Clear, specific answers are a good sign.