TDH requires testing to be conducted by certified individuals using documented methodologies. TDH policy is that the use of swabs for testing is not a documented methodology. These sections also do not apply to persons who perform lead activities within residences which they own, unless the residence is occupied by a person or persons other than the owner or the owner's immediate family while the activities are being conducted or a child residing in the building has been identified as having an elevated blood lead level. However, if target housing or child-occupied facilities are inspected for LBP then TDH certified individuals must be used. However, it would be advisable to conduct an inspection prior to renovation to prevent unintentional lead exposure to workers, home occupants, and especially children.
Dust wipes only measure lead in surface dust.
Lead may be present in the underlying paint layers. A warehouse, which was constructed prior to 1978, will be converted into apartments. A firm is conducting lead-based paint abatement on the exterior of target housing. A lead inspection is a surface by surface investigation for lead-based paint which only reports the results of the sampling expressed according to the sampling method used and does not determine whether the paint presents a hazard. Therefore, if the intent is only to determine the presence of lead-based paint, then only an inspection, conducted by a certified lead inspector or certified risk assessor, would be required.