Knowledge Base

Lead Paint

Lead is considered to be one of the seven metals of antiquity. Its unique color properties lead to its use as a pigment on buildings around 3,000 B.C. This quality of lead pigment is one of the reasons that it was used as an additive in paint for thousands of years. Lead compounds, such as white lead (lead carbonate), red lead (lead dioxide), and lead chromate, are the most widely used pigments used in paints, primers, and varnishes.

Chemical States: Elemental, inorganic, and organic (alkyl/methyl and aryl/phenyl)

Order of Toxicity (Low to High): Elemental< inorganic< organic (aryl/phenyl< alkyl/methyl) Target Organs/Tissue: Kidneys, central nervous system (CNS)/brain, and skin

Bioaccumulation:

Personal Protective Equipment (As Needed)

University buildings and construction sites may contain hazardous materials (i.e., asbestos, lead paint, mercury, PCBs, petroleum, radioisotopes, etc.) that may be disturbed as a result of renovation or demolition. Federal EPA regulations require that an asbestos assessment be conducted and that abatement take place prior to renovation or demolition, if these materials can be damaged.