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| Lead Inspections |
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| IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN THE HOME |
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 Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead exposure may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.
Paint inspections: For commercial and residential property owners, lead inspections typically consist of a surface by surface investigation of all painted surfaces of a structure (interior and exterior). Paint inspections provide information critical for planned remodeling or renovation activities. By knowing which surfaces have lead containing paint, potential exposures associated with the lead can be planned for and controlled.
Lead hazard risk assessments: Are you interested in determining if there are lead hazards present in your facility? A lead hazard risk assessment consists of methods used to identify the presence of lead hazards in a building, and to determine if it presents a significant risk to its occupants. Risk assessments are not intended to be surface by surface evaluations for lead based paint. Rather, risk assessments identify lead in forms that have the potential to be bio-available (i.e., in a form which presents a serious health risk).
Once lead hazards have been identified, measures can be taken to control them through proper maintenance practices, interim controls, or abatement.
Lead hazard risk assessments are performed by Sterling & Associates through visual inspections, limited environmental testing including XRF, paint chip (where applicable), dust, soil and water sampling.
Depending on the needs of and objectives of the property owner, a combination lead inspection/risk assessment can be performed.
What's an XRF?
An X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) is an instrument that uses x-rays to detect the presence of lead in paint or soil. The X-rays are generated by a radioactive source (cadmium-109) which is located within the XRF. When lead is exposed to X-rays, the atoms are excited and characteristic X-rays are given off as spectra. The XRF provides direct-reading measurements of lead and other metal compounds in coatings without having to perform destructive sampling (collecting paint chip samples). The XRF also has the capability of being a field screening tool for the detection of lead in soils, which can greatly reduce the number of samples sent to the laboratory for wet chemistry analysis (which can cause delays and downtime during construction/excavation-type projects). Confirmation sampling by wet-chemistry methodologies will still be necessary in addition to the XRF field screen.
Sterling & Associates is exceptionally qualified to perform lead inspections, with extensive first-hand experience in assessment, project design, and the management of lead-related projects. Our lead experience includes public and governmental agencies, commercial properties and residential (single family homes and multi-family apartment developments). Sterling & Associates is fully-certified by the California Department of Health Services - Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch under their interim certification program.
Our certifications include:
Lead Risk Assessor/Inspector
Lead Project Monitor
Lead Project Designer
Lead Project Supervisor
In addition, Sterling & Associates has two Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) on staff, who are certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. A CIH is trained in the evaluation, recognition, and control of occupational hazards. This certification requires an appropriate education, related industrial hygiene experience, and the passing of a rigorous examination administered by the Board. The CIH is also required to maintain his/her certification by attending professional development courses, updates, and seminars.
If you would like more information on lead inspections, please contact Sterling & Associates, Inc. We have been performing high-quality lead inspections, testing and risk assessments since 1989 in California and beyond.
168 South Hillview Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
Toll-free number: (888) 922-1656 or
Local number: (408) 262-1656
Fax (408) 262-5902
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