The health hazards associated with the exposure to lead in paint has been well known for many years. Lead was commonly used in traditional oil paints as both a pigment and a drier. The amount of lead contained within accumulated paint layers in historic buildings can be significantly high.
XRF ANALYSIS
ICP/OES SPECTROSCOPY
Lead based paint contains lead, added as either a pigment to provide colour or as a drier to accelerate the drying process. Typically lead chromate (sometimes referred to as chrome yellow), lead oxide (red lead) and lead carbonate (white lead) were added.
The toxic properties of lead are well established with legislation in place in the UK to protect workers and members of the public from exposure to lead.
You may be surprised to learn that lead paint continued to be sold in the UK until 1992.
Lincoln Conservation offer a full lead analysis service
