If you want to get in touch with us, the best way to do so is by emailing info@check4lead.com. We will be sure to get in touch with you as quickly as possible.
Please include the word “Check4Lead” in the title of the email. It will ensure that we can categorize it correctly and get back to you as soon as possible.
Do you have questions regarding the RRP?
We may help you answer questions regarding RRP legislation. The easiest way to get your questions answered is by going to the EPA’s page on the topic.
RRP program, EPA, coronavirus and lead abatement
The easiest way to get to the page is by clicking here, and you will be taken straight to the government page. The EPA has also issued a statement regarding COVID-19 that you may be interested in reading, which you can find here.
The situation means that it has become increasingly difficult to obtain the necessary certification with everything going on.
Suppose you are currently looking to update your certification. Maybe your certification has expired after March 26, 2020. You haven’t been able to take the necessary tests to get recertified. In that case, that is the place that you will want to go to ensure that you stay in compliance.
You may be able to keep continuing your work if you haven’t been able to update your certification. You need to make the necessary effort to comply again once the situation may allow you to.
The EPA requires you to document why you are currently unable to comply with the necessary legislation. Many testing sites are closed with everything going on.
As soon as you can take the third-party exam that is required, the EPA requires you to do so.
If your certification has expired, we encourage you to email where you would take the test. Save those emails from documenting that you have been unable to stay in compliance with the certification requirement.
The EPA is allowing this limited non-compliance with everything that is going on. Still, we strongly believe that they will be strict once again when the limitations of coronavirus are lifted. If you find that your testing sites have reopened, we encourage you to regain compliance as quickly as possible.
We also encourage you to check back with the EPA’s website frequently to make sure you know the latest updates, what is permitted etc.
Maybe you have any questions that you believe would be better answered by the EPA rather than Check4Lead. We encourage you to contact them directly as they will best provide you with the necessary guidance. You can easily find the contact information of their regional offices by visiting this link.
Questions regarding an order
Maybe you have previously purchased EPA-approved lead test kits through this website and have questions regarding an order. Make sure to include the order number in the email to assist you as easily as possible.
Questions about a new order
If you have questions about a new order, please go ahead and email the email above as well. We will get with you. The easiest way to order through Check4lead is to place an order through the website.
Why do we only have a limited amount of test kits available on the website
We have taken a stance here at Check4lead only to offer the test kits that the EPA has approved. It’s done to ensure that people using them gather the results they are hoping for. Avoid using something that may not provide accurate results.
There are requirements for the necessary documentation. We acknowledge that there are many products on the market that you cannot safely rely on.
There are 3 approved kits. We strongly prefer D-Lead and 3M given their ease of use and compliance with the necessary regulation.
What is your recommendation and why?
The EPA has approved both D-Lead and 3M’s products. We strongly believe that D-Lead’s test kit is superior and easier to use for both contractors and homeowners. That is the product that we are officially endorsing on this website.
I have a media inquiry – who do I need to talk to?
Are you looking for an official comment for a news article? Please do go ahead and send an email to the same email and mark the title as “Check4Lead media inquiry”.
Our strong belief is that the EPA will start cracking down on contractors that aren’t in compliance when everything calms down a bit. There has been an increasing focus on the dangers of lead paint lately, especially in significant places like New York. It is especially in public housing like those in the Bronx, where exposure to dangerous substances is imminent.
What are common sources of lead in the home?
We have covered a range of topics regarding the danger of lead in the home on our blog. We keep getting asked about the most prominent sources of lead and what you can do about it.
Do you have a home built before 1940? There is an 87% chance that that home contains lead-based paint that will become a health concern once the paint starts degrading. Given the number of years since then, there is a significant chance that you may be exposing your family to lead. Make sure you get your home abated.
For homes built between 1940 and 1959, the same risk is around 69%. A substantial risk people is living in these homes may end up having higher levels of lead in their blood than is considered safe. For homes built between 1960 and 1977, the same number is 24%.
The number of houses that contain lead may have decreased over the years because of varying laws across state borders. You must ensure testing is done to keep your family safe. We encourage you to comply with the RRP regulation if you are doing any remodeling. Keep your family safe and avoid some of the punitive fees imposed by the EPA for non-compliance.
Know that lead paint is still present in millions of homes across the country. While a new layer of paint may cover it, paint eventually deteriorates and exposes the old paint. It likely won’t be a health concern for as long as the paint is in good condition. Stay on top of it if you start seeing it peeling, cracking, or otherwise showing signs of deterioration.
Certain surfaces are especially dangerous due to the likelihood that kids will come in contact with the lead surface there. Those especially include:
- stairs
- railing
- fences
- porches
- doors
- door frames
- windows
- window sills
These are likely to have been installed many years ago when lead was still prevalent in paint.
If you see paint deteriorating and having trouble doing so, the first thing you need to do is ensure that household dust is cleaned up frequently. You may also bring lead dust into the home from the outside, so be aware of dust accumulating and have it removed.
