San Diego Lead Testing Archives | Rarefied Air Environmental

Technician collecting a lead dust sample from a hardwood floor

Lead Paint Testing vs Lead Dust Testing: How to Choose the Right Check For Your Home

Written by Rarefied Air | July 13, 2026

Lead is a silent risk in many pre-1978 homes. Two common checks target it from different angles: lead paint testing and lead dust testing. They serve different questions, use different tools, and are used at different points in a project. Picking the right test saves money, speeds projects, and protects people, especially young children. This

Sealed cotton swabs for home lead test kits

Home Test Kits vs Professional Lead Testing For Homes: The Smart Way to Check for Lead

Written by Rarefied Air | June 8, 2026

If your home was built before the mid-1980s, there’s a chance that lead is hiding in paint, dust, soil, or plumbing. Even small exposures matter, especially for children, because no safe blood lead level has been identified. Home lead test kits are easy to buy and quick to use. Professional testing costs more, but it

Lead inspector checking door frame with clipboard at home entrance

How Much Lead Is Dangerous: A Home Safety Guide

Written by Rarefied Air | February 16, 2026

Lead hides in plain sight. It can sit in old paint, cling to dust, leach from plumbing, or linger in soil. You cannot see or smell it, yet even small amounts can harm a child’s brain and body. The good news: there are ways to measure and manage lead contamination at home. Recent federal updates

Family reviewing a home with a real estate agent during an inspection

Is Lead Testing Mandatory? What Home Sellers Must Know

Written by Rarefied Air | February 16, 2026

Selling a home can move fast. Lead questions pop up just as quickly, especially for houses built before 1978. The rules are not hard, but they are specific, and missing a step can delay your closing. This guide explains when lead testing is required, what federal law expects from sellers, how state and city rules

Home inspection checklist on clipboard being reviewed at a desk with a calculator

How Much Does a Lead Paint Inspection Cost? Inclusions & Price Range

Written by Rarefied Air | February 16, 2026

Lead paint still hides in millions of U.S. homes built up to the mid-80s. If you are renovating, buying, renting, or just want peace of mind, if you’re comparing the cost of an inspection with a DIY option, our guide to home test kits vs professional lead testing explains when a kit may be limited

What is California’s RRP Rule?

Written by Rarefied Air | May 7, 2018

What are the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rules in California? The EPA’s 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, aims to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities. The rule requires workers to be certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices,

What is the Problem with Lead-Based Paint?

Written by Rarefied Air | April 14, 2018

What is the Problem with Lead-Based Paint? If your house was built before 1978, there may be lead-based paint both inside and outside your house. Lead is a toxic metal and can cause serious health problems if ingested or if lead dust is inhaled. When lead paint starts deteriorating and when lead dust and flakes