Homebuyers and the Importance of Accurate Lead Disclosures

Recently, The Plain Dealer published a story about a nightmare situation for new property owners in Cleveland, Ohio. According to the report, siblings bought one of two duplexes in an old colonial home only to be told a short time later that they had 14 days to vacate their home due to the presence of lead.

The article states that a “certificate of disclosure” from 2017 did not list any lead hazards. However, a recent investigation into the other duplex unit by the Cleveland Health Department found lead hazards in an enclosed porch and “extremely high concentrations” of the heavy metal in the front yard.

To help prevent these types of scenarios for homebuyers, the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, also known as Title X, became law. It helps to protect families from exposure to lead from paint, dust and soil. Section 1018 of the law directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require the disclosure of known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978.

“Homes built before 1978 were selected because that was the year the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paints,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “As was the case with this property in the Cleveland area, the EPA reports that approximately three-quarters of the nation’s housing stock built before that year contains some lead-based paint. With the presence of these paints a major safety concern, homebuyers today have important rights when it comes to knowing whether lead is present in a home they may purchase.”

The laboratory experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. are always working to identify lead hazards. They offer rapid environmental and material testing services, sampling supplies, and even easy-to-use test kits to identify lead and other potential hazards. EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about homebuyers and lead disclosures that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/z7SVm4Epigo.

To learn more about lead or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . To access lead and other indoor environmental quality test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail