The peeling and flaking paint around these windows is typical of lead-based paint that has deteriorated and become a hazard. The yellow paint at the left shows the typical "alligatering" effect of lead paint as it ages. As it begins to crack and peel, the paint appears to be made up of many squares -- taking on the appearance of alligater skin.

Health Department lead inspectors use devices known as X-Ray Fluorescent Lead-In-Paint Analyzers (XRFs)to test for the presence of lead paint. The XRFs display either "negative" or "positive" for lead and also give the lead level. The newer devices can also check for the presence of lead in dust and soil samples.

This is another example of a window with peeling and flaking lead paint. Lead paint such as this can get into the soil and the home and onto the hands of children. Children typically become lead poisoned because of lead paint and dust hazards in and around their homes.

This Page Last Modified: Monday, 19-Nov-2007 16:43:32 CST