Arsenic in Paint

Written by

Why test for Arsenic in paint?

We offer a variety of analyses for the Built Environment where sensitivity is required in understanding the composition and nature of various substances. One such substance is Arsenic in paint.

Paint and wallpaper containing arsenic that becomes damp, can be metabolised to a volatile form of arsenic called arsene. This arsene can then be inhaled by the occupants of the building. Even if concentrations are low, prolonged exposure can lead to arsenic bio-accumulating in the body and subsequent sickness. 

A previous job we carried out was for owners of a hotel who were experiencing a range of health issues months after a flood. Envirochem found the classic green Victorian wall paper in some rooms and behind a wardrobe, which was still damp, with mould growing on the wall paper. Hospital tests found elevated levels of arsenic in the two hotel owners.

What we can offer:

The method of analysis for arsenic in paint is analogous to our UKAS accredited method for lead and chromium in paint and our mCERTS method for Ascenic in Soil.

If you would like testing or have us attend site to take samples for you get in contact today on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below.

Contact Envirochem now
Sending

Lead in paint in your home – what you need to know

Written by

Lead in paint your home – what you need to know

 

Was your home built before 1978? If so there is a good chance it has lead-based paint. Lead paint is still present in millions of homes and sometimes under layers of newer paint. Here’s what you need to know if you find lead paint in your home.

 

Lead paint is usually not a problem, providing that the paint is in good shape. Deteriorating lead-based paint – for example peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged or damp – is however a hazard and will need immediate attention.

 

Where is it found?

 

As well as being found under layers of newer paints, it can also be hazardous when found on surfaces that get a lot of wear-and-tear. For example windows and window sills, doors and door frames, stairs, railings, banisters, skirting boards and porches.

 

Lead is naturally occurring, and can be found in high concentrations in some areas for example soil, gardens and playgrounds.

 

In a well-maintained home, lead in dust can still be an issue. When lead-based paint is scraped, canned or heated during DIY activities lead dust can form.

 

Lead can also be found in many products including, painted toys, furniture, toy jewellery, food or liquid containers, cosmetic and plumbing products.

 

Drinking water can also be affected by lead, it can enter drinking water through corrosed pipes.

 

Who’s at risk?

 

Children and adults, including pregnant women, are at risk from lead poisoning. Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do. Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

 

A pregnant woman’s exposure to lead is of particular concern because it can result in exposure to her developing baby.

 

How to lower the risk from lead paint and make your home safe

 

There are many simple steps that will go a long way in preventing lead exposure, for example:

 

  • inspect and maintain all painted surfaces to prevent paint deterioration
  • keep your home clean and dust-free
  • clean around painted areas where friction can generate dust, such as doors, windows, and drawers
  • wash children’s hands, bottles, and toys often
  • encourage children to wipe and remove their shoes and wash hands after playing outdoors.

 

How Envirochem can help with lead paint

It is important to have your home tested for lead if it was built before 1978. There are two ways to get your home checked, the first is a paint inspection.

 

We have 25 years experience in assessing chemical risks in buildings. When our team conducts a paint inspection, they are able to tell you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in your home. However from a paint inspection we are unable to tell you if the paint is a hazard. This test is appropriate when you are buying or renting a homeland before you do any DIY, and will help you to determine how to maintain your house for lead safety.

 

The second test that our team can carry out for your home is a risk assessment. This test allows our team to tell you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure such as peeling paint and lead dust. We will then provide you with information on what actions to take to address the hazards.

 

Get in touch with our team today to discover how our services can help keep you safe.

 

Wallpaper or paint testing for arsenic content

Written by

Occasionally at Envirochem we get requests to test wallpaper or paint for arsenic content.

Some Victorian properties still contain wallpapers with the specific dark blue/green colour or pattern called Scheele’s green. When in-situ and in good condition it does not pose a health threat. In this way it is similar to lead containing paints – when they are in good condition or have been painted over with a new paint there is only a small risk, with the largest uptake routes being dust via hand-to-mouth and accidental consumption of flakes or chipped paint. But when the surface starts to break down there is the potential for lead containing dust to be released, disturbed and inhaled.

However, with arsenic containing wall papers there is an additional and interesting effect. If the paint or wall paper becomes damp, then a specific type of mould can grow on the wall paper that can metabolise the arsenic in to a volatile form of arsenic called arsene. This arsene gas can then be inhaled by the occupants. Even if concentrations are low, prolonged exposure can lead to arsenic bio-accumulating in the body. It was this that is believed to have contributed to the death of Napoleon when imprisoned on the island of Elba.

We have had an example when owners of a hotel were experiencing a range of health issues months after a flood. Envirochem found the classic green Victorian wall paper in some rooms and behind a wardrobe, which was still damp, and mould was growing on the wall paper. Hospital tests found elevated levels of arsenic in the two hotel owners.

The method of analysis for arsenic in paint is analogous to our recently UKAS accredited method for lead and chromium in paint.

For more on this service or for all our services please contact us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

 

Contact Envirochem now
Sending

Lead and Chromium in paint testing

Written by

For many years lead and chromium based paints were used because of their strong colours, resistance to corrosion and speed of drying. Despite their useful properties these paints are in fact harmful, with lead being a particularly hazardous component of these paints. Unfortunately the uptake of lead into the body is very easy with a common pathway being as simple as dust via hand-to-mouth, making children common victims of lead poisoning. The effects of exposure to lead are devastating to young children, particularly those under the age of 6, with symptoms such as hearing loss, stunted growth, delayed development and nervous system damage.

Lead and chromium based paints were commonly used in buildings and homes built before 1978, when their use was outlawed. Lead and chromium based paints can be a whole range of colours such yellow, bright red, green colour or even a white. These sort of paints were used as both primers and top coats.

Paint samples that we receive are digested in Aqua Regia using microwave digestion and subsequently analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-OES) using our UKAS accredited procedure (please note, Envirochem is only accredited for the analysis of Lead and Chromium in paint and not the sampling of lead and chromium in paint).

 

For more information on this and all our other services please call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below.

 

Contact Envirochem now
Sending

Envirochem were recently approached by an individual client who requested a Lead in paint survey be carried out on a property they wanted to purchase.

Written by

Envirochem were recently approached by an individual client who requested a Lead in paint survey be carried out on a property they wanted to purchase.

An individual client used Envirochems website to contact us and to request a Lead in paint survey on a property they wanted to purchase in Reigate. The client had a Home-buyers Report carried out on the property they wanted to purchase and it was highlighted that due to the age of the property, Lead paint may have been used in the decoration of the building. With concerns of the Lead content in paint and with a young child, the client wanted the paint from various areas of the building checked before remediation works are carried out within the property. With the aid of the client, sampling areas were agreed and scrapings from various surfaces were taken of the paint, labelled and bagged and taken back to the laboratory from analysis. Paint sampled are digested in Aqua Regia using microwave digestion and subsequently analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-OES) using our UKAS accredited procedure (please note, Envirochem are only accredited for the analysis of Lead in paint and not the sampling of lead in paint). A report was subsequently produced to report the results.

Envirochem can carry out a variety of paint analysis for individual home buyers and other clients. If you require any of our chemical analysis services, occupational hygiene services, asbestos or microbiological services, please contact us on 01329-287777, or fill out the form below;

Contact Envirochem now
Sending

 

Arsenic in Paint and Wallpaper

Written by

Occasionally we get requested to test wallpaper or paint for arsenic content.

Some Victorian properties still contain wallpapers with a the specific dark blue/green colour or pattern called Scheele’s green. When in-situ and in good condition it does not pose a health threat. In this way it is similar to lead containing paints – when they are in good condition or over painted with new paint there is little risk unless you have small children keen on chewing the skirting board. But when the surface starts to break down there is the potential for lead containing dust to be released, disturbed and inhaled.

However, with arsenic containing wall papers there is an additional and interesting effect. If the paint or wall paper becomes damp, then a mould can grow on the wall paper that can metabolise the arsenic in to a volatile form of arsenic called arsene. This arsene can then be inhaled by the occupants. Even if concentrations are low, prolonged exposure can lead to arsenic bio-accumulating in the body. It was this that is believed to have contributed to the death of Napoleon when imprisoned on the island of Elba.

We have had a example when owners of a hotel were experiencing a range of health issues months after a flood. Envirochem found the classic green Victorian wall paper in some rooms and behind a wardrobe it was still damp and mould was growing on the wall paper. Hospital tests found elevated levels of arsenic in the two hotel owners.

The method of analysis for arsenic in paint is analogous to our recently UKAS accredited method for lead and chromium in paint.

Some Parks in Bristol Contain High Levels of Lead in Paint

Written by

Many parks contain paint with dangerous metals in them. Six parks in Bristol have recently been tested and and half had ‘high levels’ of lead in paint. It has been advised that children should wash their hands after playing in such parks.

 

For more on the story click HERE

 

Envirochem offer many chemical tests including lead in paint. If you would like to inquire please fill in the form below

 

Contact Envirochem now
Sending