The Work Of A Lead Inspector In San Diego

By Marcia Marks


It is for the purposes of safety and good health that a lead inspector in San Diego is invited to carry out testing procedures. This is usually due to the state law requirements which were put in place after it was observed that lead has negative implication on human life. The term used to refer to the effect of the chemical in the body is lead-poisoning. This is experienced as a result of elevated levels of this chemical in the blood.

The severity of Pb poisoning depends on the age with children being the most affected. Adults are only affected by large quantities of this metal. Children affected by this metal normally manifest the following characteristics: Learning disability, low IQ, attention deficit disorder, stunted growth among others. Adults on the other hand will exhibit the following effects: Fertility problem, nerves disorder, increased blood pressure among others. Note this; if no intervention is sought early enough, then Pb poisoning can lead to fatality.

Detecting the presence of lead in your property is not a do-it-yourself task; it should be done by a well trained and experience person. What normally happens is that the professional will visit your home, collect samples from different parts of the building, and take them to the chemistry laboratory for analysis. It is good to note that not all labs can perform this analysis; only certified Pb analysis laboratories.

Sampling is very important; care is taken because improper sampling might not yield the best result. Three sampling methods are commonly in use by many experts; this is because of the variations in the materials used in building. Discussed below are the three commonly used sampling methods.

The first method is known as dust wipe sampling. Samples are collected from areas such as interior window sills, window troughs and floors. One should avoid surfaces such as bricks, cloth-covered furniture, carpets because they will not produce good results. In this method, one collects dust with a moist wipe after which it is folded with the contaminated side facing inward and this should be done aseptically. When sampling, one should have gloves on.

The other method is soil sampling. This is based on the fact that most peeling paint particles end up on the ground. This method is not that much reliable compared to dust wipe sampling. However, it is not requirement from the state and local authorities for compliance with hazardous waste regulations, but rather is vital for safety within home.

Paint chip sampling should be done before dust sampling to minimize the prospect of cross-samples contamination. The person collecting paint chips should wear new disposable gloves for each sample. This method is a requirement as many paints that property owners use are made of Pb.

After the analysis is complete, it is the responsibility of the lead inspector in San Diego to read and interpret the laboratory findings. The next cause of action is then determined by the report such that if Pb is present then it has to be dealt with appropriately to make the home free from it. After the necessary procedure is done then a repeat of the sampling is done to establish if the home is free of Pb.




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