Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

February, 2004

Lead in Paints

Q. In my recent research, I have learned that majority, if not all, paint products sold to consumers are still toxic and have minor amount of lead. How is the EPA going about fixing the issue and enforcing the regulation that has been setforth? Thank you.

A. House paints generally do not contain lead, but if they do the concentration is very low indeed. OSHA (not EPA) has regulated the lead content in consumer paints to less than 0.06 % wt in the dried paint film.

To the best of my knowledge the consumer paints that you purchase at a hardware or paint store meets that requirement.