While lead-based paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978, every home built before then probably has some. To help you check out your house, Consumer Reports just evaluated do-it-yourself lead test kits.

Consumer Reports staffer Ed Perratore checked for lead in his home using several do-it-yourself test kits. "For all of them, they did indicate that lead was there," he said.

Consumer Reports also ran lab tests on the seven kits costing between eight and 30 dollars. Testers added lead to latex paint in varying amounts and then painted it on boards. The kits were tested on the boards to see how low a level of contamination could be detected.

"All the kits we tested detected lead down to 2,000 parts per million, and none made any false identifications of lead," said Consumer Reports' Don Mays.

To use most of the kits, you cut through the layers down to the base paint. Then check the painted surface. If lead is present, there will be a color change.

"Choose a kit that turns a different color than paint that you're testing, so you can tell if lead has been detected," Mays said.
Consumer Reports says some good choices are the Abotex lead test kit, which turns yellow-to-black, and the LeadCheck kit, which turns pink-to-red.

"If your home tests positive for lead paint, hire a certified inspector to confirm that you have lead," Mays said. "If necessary, hire someone with special training to cover up or remove the lead."

You can locate a certified lead inspector and lead-removal expert though the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site, http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/search.cfm?Applicant_Type=FIRM. 

(Copyright © 2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. All Rights Reserved.)