The Hidden Dangers of Lead in Paint: Why Sampling is Crucial

Adam Fox • 7 June 2023

Although lead-based paint has been banned in the UK since 1992, it is still present in many older buildings and homes

As a professional in the construction industry, I have seen first-hand the dangers of lead in paint. Many people are unaware of the prevalence of lead in paint and the potential health risks associated with exposure. In this article, I will explain the importance of lead paint sampling and the steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the hidden dangers of lead in paint.


Introduction to Lead in Paint


Lead has been used in paint for centuries due to its durability and ability to provide a smooth and shiny finish. However, lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems, especially in children and pregnant women. Ingestion or inhalation of lead can lead to brain damage, developmental delays, and behavioural disorders.


Although lead-based paint has been banned in the UK since 1992, it is still present in many older buildings and homes. If the paint is not properly maintained or removed, it can pose a serious health risk.


The Prevalence of Lead in Paint


Lead-based paint is prevalent in buildings constructed before 1970. In fact, it is estimated that over 70% of UK homes built before 1970 contain lead-based paint. This means that many homeowners, landlords, and construction professionals may unknowingly be exposing themselves and others to the dangers of lead.


Legal Requirements for Lead Paint Sampling in the UK


To address the risk of lead exposure, the UK government has established legal requirements for lead paint sampling in certain situations. For example, if you are planning to demolish or refurbish a building constructed before 2000, you must have the paint tested for lead content before beginning work. This is to ensure that workers and occupants are not exposed to lead during the demolition or construction processes.


UK Lead in Paint Regulations and Standards


The UK government has established regulations and standards for lead in paint to protect public health. The maximum allowable concentration of lead in paint is 0.1% by weight. This means that if a paint sample contains more than 0.1% lead, it is considered lead-based paint and must be handled and disposed of in accordance with regulations.


Health Risks Associated with Lead Exposure


Exposure to lead can have serious health consequences, especially for children and pregnant women. Lead can affect the body in many ways, including:


  • Damage to the nervous system
  • Impaired cognitive function
  • Developmental delays
  • Behavioural disorders
  • Kidney damage
  • Anaemia


Why Sampling is Crucial in Detecting Lead in Paint


Sampling is the process of collecting and analysing a paint sample to determine its lead content. Sampling is crucial in detecting lead in paint because lead-based paint can often be hidden under layers of newer paint. Sampling can also help to identify areas where lead-based paint may have been used, even if it is not immediately visible.


Understanding the Sampling Process


The sampling process involves collecting a small sample of paint and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The sample must be collected in a way that minimizes the risk of exposure to lead, such as using a wet wipe or a specialised sampling tool. Once the sample is collected, it is analysed using specialised equipment to determine its lead content.


What to Do if Lead is Found in Paint


If lead is found in paint, it is important to take immediate action to address the problem. Depending on the situation, this may involve removing the paint or covering it with a sealant. It is important to hire a qualified professional to handle the removal or encapsulation of lead-based paint to minimize the risk of exposure.


Conclusion


The dangers of lead in paint cannot be overstated. Exposure to lead can have serious health consequences, especially for children and pregnant women. Sampling is crucial in detecting lead in paint and ensuring that appropriate action is taken to protect public health.


If you are concerned about lead in paint in your home or workplace, I encourage you to take action today. Contact our friendly team of professionals today to perform lead paint sampling and take the necessary steps to address any issues that are identified. By working together, we can protect ourselves and others from the hidden dangers of lead in paint.



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by Adam Fox 9 April 2025
Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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