KnowHow

Processes For Growing Restoration Companies

This process provides step-by-step instruction on how to collect paint chip samples and submit them for laboratory analysis to determine whether they contain lead. The information was obtained from the <a href="http://epa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">epa.gov</a> website and was updated in October 2011.

Take a Lead Paint Sample

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The collection of lead paint samples typically requires individuals who are trained and certified to handle lead-related work to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. Here are the main qualifications for those who are qualified to collect lead paint samples:
<ol>
<li>Certified Lead Inspector: A lead inspector is a professional who has completed the required training and certification to assess lead hazards in homes, buildings, or other structures. They are often qualified to collect lead paint samples as part of their job.</li>
<li>Certified Risk Assessor: A certified risk assessor evaluates lead hazards in a building. They may also collect lead paint samples to assess the extent of lead exposure risk in a property.</li>
<li>Certified Lead Abatement Contractor: Although abatement contractors primarily focus on the removal of lead-based hazards, they may be trained to collect lead paint samples as part of their work, depending on the regulations in their area.</li>
<li>Trained Sampling Professionals: In some cases, individuals without the full certification of lead inspectors or assessors may still be qualified to collect paint samples if they have received proper training in sampling methods and follow appropriate safety protocols.</li>
</ol>
There are also specific training and certification requirements that must be followed prior to collecting lead paint samples. These include:
Training and Certification Requirements:
<ul>
<li>In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) set forth guidelines for lead paint inspections. These guidelines include certification requirements under the EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule and the HUD guidelines for lead-based paint hazard evaluation.</li>
<li>Lead inspectors and risk assessors must be trained through accredited programs and typically need to pass a certification exam to ensure they can safely collect samples and interpret results.</li>
</ul>
If you are considering hiring someone to collect lead paint samples, it's essential to verify that they have received the proper training and certifications in line with local regulations.
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Compliance & Training Requirements

Lead-Test-Kit-Form-Fillable.pdf

In order to follow this process, you will need the following materials:
<ul>
<li>Resealable rigid walled container for use as paint chip sample collection containers, e.g. screw‐top plastic centrifuge tube (Note: Resealable plastic bags are not suitable for holding and transporting dried paint chip samples due to potential losses of paint chips during laboratory handling.)</li>
<li>Steel or plastic measuring ruler ‐ metric only with millimeter and centimeter divisions</li>
<li>Cloths for cleaning purposes</li>
<li>White paper for making paper funnels (paint chip sample collection trays)</li>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Masking and duct tape</li>
<li>Permanent (indelible) marking pen</li>
<li>Personal safety gear (Note: Before you begin, take precautions to protect yourself and prevent the contamination of the area with lead dust. This may include using protective sheeting in the sampling area and donning the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). You should clean all tools used as well as the sampling area after each sample collection.)</li>
<li>Cutting and scraping tools: sharp‐edged razor knife, single‐edged safety razor blades, pocket knife with locking blade, rigid blade paint scraper with extra blades, flexible putty knife, chisels, hammer</li>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Flashlight</li>
<li style="font-weight: bold;">Trash bags</li>
<li>Plastic gloves (powderless)</li>
<li>Sample Paint Chip Test Kit Documentation&nbsp;Form</li>
</ul>

Gather required materials

The field collection report should include, at a minimum:
<ul>
<li>Project or client name</li>
<li>General sampling site description</li>
<li>The name of the person collecting the samples</li>
</ul>
The paint chip sample container should include, at a minimum:
<ul>
<li>A unique identifier</li>
<li>Dimensions of the sampled surface (include measuring units)</li>
</ul>

Write the required information about the test location and sample on the collection form and sample container

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<ol>
<li>Using a ruler, draw an outline of the sampling area on the painted surface with a permanent marking pen.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Record the dimension of the outline.</li>
<li>Score the outlined area with a razor knife or equivalent cutting tool.</li>
<li>Use the cutting tool to retrace the outline area.</li>
<li>Clean the ruler with a cloth.</li>
</ol>
Note: Samples generally should be at least one square inch, however, the minimum sample size needed may vary by laboratory. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the laboratory that will be analyzing the sample to determine their minimum sample size requirement. The laboratory must be recognized by the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP).&nbsp;

Outline the collection area

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For Horizontal Surfaces:
Use a sheet of letter‐size white paper for making a paper funnel for paint chip sample collection. In cases where the sampling location is too small to accommodate a funnel made with a sheet of the letter‐size paper, cut the paper to an appropriate smaller size.
For Vertical Surfaces:
Center a piece of tape along one of the long edges of a clean sheet of white paper. The tape should be slightly shorter than the paper and placed so that sufficient adhesive is available to firmly stick the paper to the paint surface. Stick the paper directly below the location to be sampled with the taped edge closest to the scored location. Pull the two lower corners of the paper together and overlap slightly to form a funnel. Secure with a piece of tape. Fold the bottom of the newly formed funnel up and use a piece of tape to close off the funnel bottom. Be sure no sticky tape surfaces are exposed on the inside of the funnel.
For Overhead Horizontal Surfaces (Painted Surfaces Facing Down):
Make a closed‐bottom funnel in the same manner as described above in 'For Vertical Surfaces'. Affix the funnel to the painted surface in a way so that it is directly under the location to be sampled without impeding access to the surface, or attach the funnel to a ladder beneath the sample location.

Set up paint chip sample collection tray

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Using a cutting tool, begin removing the paint chip sample from the substrate.
Peel the paint chip sample from the substrate by sliding the blade along the score and underneath the paint chip sample.
If problems are encountered in removing the paint chip sample, use a scraping tool or other equivalent tool to aid in paint chip sample removal.

Remove the paint chip sample

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Remove the paint chip sample collection tray from the sampling location. Avoid any sample spillage. Carefully tap all the collected paint chip sample into the paint chip sample collection container. Seal the paint chip sample collection container. Dispose of paint chip sampling trays made of paper in a trash bag.
If a reusable paint chip sample collection tray is used, clean it thoroughly with a cloth and allow it to dry completely before reusing it at a new sampling location.
Note: Carefully clean the area of all dust using a wet wipe procedure.

Transfer the collected sample to the paint chip sample collection container

Clean all cutting tools used during paint chip sample collection

Ensure all required documents and paint chip sample collection containers are completely labeled.

Check documentation for completeness on the Paint Chip Sample Collection Form

A list of NLLAP‐accredited laboratories is available at the URL below. Record all results reported from the laboratory.
National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program List

Submit the paint chip sample for lead analysis to a NLLAP‐recognized laboratory

A report of the findings from the submitted paint chip samples must be given to the person contracting for the work within 30 days following the completion of the renovation work. The Certified Firm should keep the completed Paint Chip Sample Collection Form for 3 years after the work is completed.
See example documentation below:
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