Lead Based Paint
Many people ask me:
“What does ESP stand for?”
ESP stands for Extra Sensory Perception – you know, using your “Sixth Sense.” We use most of our senses when we take on your project. (We don’t usually taste our paint…I’m sure you can understand that.)
Perhaps the most important of the senses is our hearing – we listen. We take particular care to really hear what you want – so that your home or office is exactly the way you hope it will be.
Extra Special People
• Those We Serve
Extraordinary Service Performance
• 100% Customer Satisfaction
Exceptionally Superior Painting
• We Stand Out Among our Peers
Working with Existing Lead-Based Paint
Q: How do I know if my house has been painted with a lead-based paint?
A: Lead-based paints were banned for use in homes in 1978. If your home was built before 1978, certified inspector can tell you for certain whether the paint used on your home contains lead, and where it is located. Other than paying an inspector, the best way to protect yourself is to assume that your home contains lead-based paint if it was built before 1978. According to the federal government, “home test kits for lead are available, but may not always be accurate.” If your home was painted with lead-based paint, the repainting process needs to be handled carefully to minimize exposure risk.
Q: Why should I be concerned about lead paint in my home?
A: Usually, paint that is in good condition poses very little danger even if it does contain lead. However, children may put pieces of peeling, chipping paint in their mouths. And disturbing lead-based paint during renovations releases lead dust into the air where you can either breathe it or ingest it by putting your hands in your mouth or handling food. Lead from paint and other sources can affect the health of your family and the development of your children.
Q: What types of health problems are caused by lead paint?
A: In children, lead can damage the kidneys and nervous system, decrease muscle and bone growth, and damage hearing. The nervous system damage means that the child can develop learning disabilities, ADD, decreased intelligence, and speech, language and behavior problems. High levels of exposure to lead can be fatal in children. In adults, lead exposure can decrease fertility, increase blood pressure, cause nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, and memory, concentration, and digestive problems. Pregnant women are especially at risk, and lead can increase their chance of illness and harm the fetus.
Q: How does ESP Painting work around existing lead paint?
A: If your home has or might have been painted with lead-based paint at any time, we follow procedures as mandated by OSHA and DHS to protect you, our client, and our crews. Our crews undergo frequent and rigorous training to ensure they are working with existing lead-based paint in the safest manner.
We are happy to provide you with a copy of our lead safety program before we begin painting your home.
