When Did They Start Using Lead in Paint

Unbeknownst to many, lead paint was being produced as early as the 4th century BC. Specifically, the paint color lead white was popularized by artists and laborers due to its thickness, density, and opacity. People began adding lead to paint to accelerate drying times and create a long-lasting finish.

Did all paint contain lead before 1978?

Older Homes and Buildings If your home was built before 1978, it is more likely to have lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead paint is still present in millions of homes, sometimes under layers of newer paint.

Do Homes built after 1978 have lead paint?

The commonly cited national statistic from EPA is that 87% of homes built before 1940 contain some lead paint, homes built between 1940 and 1960 have a 69% chance of containing such paint, homes built between 1960 and 1978 have a 24% chance of containing lead paint, while homes built after 1978 are unlikely to have …