Terms to know

Lead Glossary

Lead paint work comes with a lot of technical words. This page explains common lead paint testing and abatement terms in a clear way. If you live in a home older than 1978, are planning renovations, or have kids in the home that are 6 years or younger, this glossary can help you understand the risk of exposure, health effects, things that you can do yourself and when you need to contact a professional.

Note: This glossary is for education. If you have health concerns, talk with a medical professional.

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Lead Hazards & Assessment

Lead-Safe Methods

Paint Conditions & Surface Issues

Paint Types

Lead Hazards & Assessment

Risk Assessment

An evaluation performed to determine the presence of lead hazards and the likelihood of exposure within a property.

What It Means:

A certified lead professional inspects your home to identify lead hazards and determine how likely occupants are to be exposed.

Lead-Safe Methods

Abatement

The permanent removal or control of lead hazards through approved methods.

What It Means:

A long-term solution that permanently removes or controls lead hazards so they do not return during normal use.

Encapsulation

A method of sealing lead-based paint with a specialized coating to prevent exposure.

What It Means:

Lead paint remains in place but is sealed beneath a durable coating that helps prevent contact and the creation of lead dust.

EPA RRP Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule governs work performed in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978.

What It Means:

Federal regulations require contractors to follow lead-safe work practices during renovation projects that disturb painted surfaces.

Paint Stabilization

Repairing damaged painted surfaces and repainting them to stop deteriorating coatings from creating lead dust.

What It Means:

Peeling or damaged paint is repaired and repainted to reduce the risk of lead exposure.

Paint Conditions & Surface Issues

Impact Surfaces

Surfaces that repeatedly experience direct contact, such as doors that strike door frames when opening or closing.

What It Means:

Repeated impacts can damage painted surfaces and increase the risk of lead paint deterioration.

Friction Surfaces

Surfaces that rub against one another during normal use, such as the edges of windows that slide open and closed.

What It Means:

Friction can wear away paint over time and create lead-containing dust if lead-based paint is present.

Alligatoring

A paint failure pattern where the surface cracks into scales that resemble an alligator's skin.

What It Means:

This often occurs because of age, weather exposure, or applying rigid paint over a more flexible coating.

Substrate Failure

Failure of the material beneath the paint, such as rotting wood, moisture damage, or painting over deteriorated surfaces.

What It Means:

The underlying surface must be repaired before repainting. Simply adding a new coat of paint will not solve the problem.

Paint Types

Latex Paint

A water-based paint commonly used on interior and exterior surfaces because it dries quickly, has lower odor, and is easier to clean than oil-based paint.

What It Means:

Lead Glossary

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