11. How confident are you in the accuracy and reliability of the EPA-approved lead test kits?
In addition to skepticism over the government’s involvement in lead paint abatement, many remodelers are distrustful of EPA-approved lead test kits used on RRP jobs. While 37% of remodelers are either “very confident” or “fairly confident” in the tests’ accuracy, slightly more – 39% – are not confident that the tests are reliable.
McCadden says concerns over the test kits may stem from misinformation. “Most of the misinformation falls on EPA, but a good amount of it is also caused by the industry,” he says, noting that an August 2010 article from NAHB overlooked important information on the topic, that caused the article to be misleading. By stating that “more accurate, inexpensive test kits will not be available any time soon,” McCadden says the article leaves the impression that current test kits on the market are not accurate. “In fact, the current test kits manufactured by Hybrivet Systems of Natick, Mass., have a 20-year-plus proven track record of reliable and consistent accuracy.
Hybrivet Systems manufactures LeadCheck lead test kits, which are currently the only EPA-approved kits for RRP work. McCadden further discusses the product and NAHB article in this post.
