We have expanded services to include certified home and property lead inspections, risk assessments, HUD inspections and Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) Inspections.

We have provided services to toy wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers.  We have done testing for county health departments, state and federal agencies.  We have helped real estate professionals sell homes, and assisted remodelers, home inspectors and other housing professionals.  We work with families of autistic children and can help anyone or any business know what is in their environment.

Recently, I was out performing an in-home inspection and found lead in wall paper.  This was a new experience for me and after further testing, I was able to identify that the back side of the wall paper was made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).  The lead and other heavy metals found when testing the wall paper was most likely from the PVC and the back side of the wallpaper not the painted surface.

Contractors, remodelers and homeowners should be aware that there is a potential for lead to exist in wallpaper.  Older homes that contain wallpaper with a PVC or film backing should be aware that lead and other heavy metals may be present.  Creating dusts from this substrate could be potentially harmful. 

In addition, contractors should be aware that tile may contain harmful levels of certain heavy metals including lead.  If you are doing remodeling, renovation or painting that disturbs a painted surface or tile, use caution and be aware that the dust you create could be potentially harmful to you, your workers and the people or children in the home.

Other interesting finds and subjects of upcoming or past blogs include lead and other heavy metals found in:

Bounce Homes
Protein Drinks
Field Turf
Bumbo Seats
Facial Creams and other personal care items

Know what is in your environment!

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X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has the potential to accurately measure lead content in painted films on children’s products at the limits required under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of2008, but appropriate standard reference materials (SRMs) and standard analytical methods need to be developed before a complete evaluation or determination is possible.

Now the system that I’m referring to is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  I am currently a certified HUD Lead Inspector and Risk Assessor in the State of Washington.  In order for me to receive my certification, I had to first take a class and then pass a state exam (one as a lead inspector and a year later as a risk assessor)  You can review their guidelines here: http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/lbp/hudguidelines/Ch07.pdf

What I am suggesting is that with proper modification and adoption by the CPSC of Chapter 7 of the HUD (Lead-Based Paint Inspection), standard analytical methods can be developed.  I will even offer to assist with my experience and knowledge of consumer product testing using XRF analyzers.

We have developed data collection methods, testing methods and procedures, analytical software solutions to verify if the elements found are truly present in the consumer product or not present.

The HUD prefers to do a lead-based paint inspection by using XRF analyzers rather than destructive testing, like the CPSC. 

Some advantages that XRF offers according to the CPSC include:

1. XRF is often non-destructive (When we test we will even return your products tested to you)
2. Little sample preparation is required, typically less than two minutes. 
3. XRF can test small painted areas which is often difficult for ICP method (destructive testing)
4. Handheld XRF analyzers are portable, allowing for field-screening of products.

The CPSC did forget to mention the cost benefits of XRF verse ICP method.  On average, traditional testing using ICP-MS is in the range of $100.00 to $300.00 per color, per substrate, per test.  The costs we typically charge for XRF testing is in the range of $2.00 to $7.50 per color, per substrate, per test.

Some disadvantages with XRF suggested by the CPSC include:
1. XRF instruments do not readily measure in mass per units such as weight %, mg/kg or PPM and they have difficulty with quantification on a mass per mass unit basis.   (As a company are working on the quantification issue with software solutions and our XRF analyzers currently provides information in PPM among other measures)
2. The source radiation can travel through the paint into the underlying substrate, leading to a measurement result that has contributions from both.  Special care needs to be taken in ascertaining the source of lead in any measurement.  (This is exactly what I am suggesting by creating standards and guidelines for consumer product testing, just like testing for lead in a home like the HUD requires, we can reduce or eliminate this issue.  Common Sense solves certain problems)
3. XRF is matrix sensitive (This is true, but we are working on this as a company and we have never had a false positive for lead in any matrix and with proper software solutions and data this problem can be easily solved.  And if you forget about any quantification of the elements and just ask if they are there or not, XRF offers amazing opportunities to provide screening)
4. There is currently no consensus industry standard test methods for quantifying lead on a mass per mass unit basis (We are here to help create this industry standard, if you look at the HUD chapter 7 as a basis for creation of standards, we can be started down the right path.  And with proper or industry standard for data collection, testing and analysis, this problem can be easily solved.)

Here is the conclusion from the CPSC about XRF analysis:

The ability of XRF to be used to accurately measure lead content in painted films on children’s products at the limits required under the CPSIA is currently limited due to the unavailability of SRMs and standard analytical methods. CPSC staff will continue to study the feasibility of using XRF technology for analyzing painted films on children’s products as SRMs and standard analytical methods become available.

XRF technology is suitable in many cases for the accurate determination of lead in plastics provided appropriate test methods are followed, with the use of appropriate SRMs.

All I am suggesting is that there is currently a system to provide elemental information specifically about lead by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development.  With proper modification of Chapter 7 of the HUD guidelines, the CPSC can create certified CPSIA Consumer Product Safety Inspectors who use X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzers to test consumer products and more specifically children’s products regulated under the CPSIA.

Would you want to see the creation of certified CPSIA XRF Consumer Product Safety Inspectors?

What do you think about modification of HUDs chapter 7 to assist the CPSC with CPSIA consumer product testing?

In this study, they found the 75% of all new lead poisoning cases were the result of home remodeling projects (12 of 16 cases reported by IDPH-certified inspectors).

Iowa has a current childhood lead poisoning rate of 7% for children under six, four-times the national average of 1.6%

Children are more susceptible to lead and other toxicants do to body mass, developing immune systems, and more direct hand to mouth use.  Lead poisoning can adversely affect the nervous system, the development of the brain of children under 6, but it also effects the community and economy.

Lead poisoning is preventable, at it is important to understand what your home is made of when doing any renovation, repair or painting.

One way to quickly identify lead or other heavy metals is the use of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzers.

Attention Renovators!

According to the EPA

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

The EPA has issued a new rule Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) that will require the use of lead-safe practices and other actions to prevent lead poisoning.  The rule goes into effect in April 2010 and states that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

Until that time, EPA recommends that anyone performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices.

All contractors should follow these three simple procedures:
• Contain the work area.
• Minimize dust.
• Clean up thoroughly.

According to the HUD there are four components of Lead Safe Work Practices

1. Occupant Protection. Appropriate actions must be taken to protect occupants from lead-based paint hazards associated with Lead Hazard Reduction, paint stabilization, maintenance, or rehabilitation activities.
2. Worksite Preparation and Containment. The worksite must be prepared to prevent the release of leaded dust and debris.
3. Prohibited Methods. There are some methods that may not be used at any time to remove paint that is or may be lead-based paint.
4. Worksite Cleanup. Worksite cleanup removes dust and debris from the work area. Good cleanup is critical to passing clearance and leaving the unit safe for habitation. Worksite cleanup must be done using methods, products and devices that are successful in cleaning lead-contaminated dust, such as vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters and household or lead-specific detergents

Make sure you know what is in your environment before you do any renovation, knowledge is key to prevention.

Currently, we (Essco) serve four segments of the market; Consumer, Business and Industrial and Government, but XRF can be utilized in many different segments of each market.

The consumer may have a need or desire to have their home, property, consumer products inspected for heavy metals.  Moms and dads who are environmentally conscious and concerned about their environment, people or families that have family members with compromised immune systems, new home buyers or home remodelers.

Businesses who are required or desire to ensure that their consumer products do not contain harmful heavy metals, such as lead, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) or ROHS/WEEE Compliance.  Manufactures may wish raw materials tested or facilities to ensure worker safety.

Industries who need knowledge of material makeup can utilize XRF Analyzers in a variety of different segments; Geological (Mining, Exploration, Contaminated Sites, Archeological), area and product mapping, metal and alloy testing, preventative maintenance and data analysis.

XRF is the preferred source by Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to perform HUD Lead Inspections and Risk Assessments.

Essentially, XRF technology can provide information, fast, in-expensively, efficiently and accurately about the elemental makeup of anything but air. 

It is used in many different segments of the market and combined with data collection and analysis, XRF analyzers can help to improve lives and create jobs.

What other technologies exist that can help to reduce expenses for businesses, help businesses comply with regulation, keep children and people safe from potential toxic exposures, thus improving lives, creating jobs and new industries?

Know what is in your environment!