Product Review: D-Lead for EPA RRP jobs

Here at Train2Rebuild, we finally received the sample D-Lead test kits from Esca Tech Inc. the new boys in town for testing lead in homes built before 1978.

Previously, we had LeadCheck but it is not approved by EPA for testing on drywall and plaster.

D-Lead does have the EPA approval for testing on drywall, plaster and ferrous metal. And since D-Lead does not rely on a red color change, it will work on red, pink and black paint. As you may know, LeadCheck is not approved to test for lead on those colors.

My goal here is to use both D-Lead and LeadCheck to test for lead in the same area of an old, painted wooden door.

As you can see above, the D-Lead test kit comes with several components:

• Solution bottle 1
• Solution bottle 2
• D-Wipe towels
• Sample catch trays
• Scoring tool
• Cleaning rod
• Razor blade
• Waste disposal bag

Plus, you get an instruction manual — which is mildly confusing — in English and Spanish.

The first instruction is to read all of the instructions. What a concept. And I reccomend you do read those instructions, paying special attention to the safety guidelines.

After reading all the instructions, I used the D-lead test on an exterior porch door in a home built in the 1940s. It is easy enough:

• Take a sample with the sampling tool
• Place in Test Bottle 1
• Shake for 10 seconds
• Add 5 drops from Solution Bottle 2
• Give it  a shake for 10 more seconds.

According to the instructions the results should appear in 3-10 minutes.

Here is the test bottle after 10 minutes: 

What do you think? If no lead is present, the solution will remain clear. If the level of lead is under the limit that requires RRP practices, the solution will be lighter in color than the color strip on the bottle. If the solution's color matches or exceeds the color strip, lead is definitely present. I found this color a little ambiguous. Is it less than the color strip? Or equal to it?

And here is a comparison with LeadCheck, used on the place where I carved out my sample for D-lead:

This is quite clear: the red means lead.

So you gotta ask yourself, which do you prefer? LeadCheck is easy and quick but does not work on drywall and plaster. And it does not work on red, pink and black paint.

D-Lead takes a little longer and the color change leaves a little to your color sensitivity. However, it does work on drywall, plaster and ferrous metals, as well as all colors of paint.

Plus, it is still not clear how available D-Lead will be in the coming weeks.

The good thing is there is competition in the lead testing market and that can only be good for certified renovators.

In the coming days, I will try this out on other surfaces and I'll show it to my next RRP class to get their opinion and get back with you on how it all shakes out. Stay tuned!

Dispatch from Bill Robinson at Train2Rebuild

Comments

[Catherine Brooks of Eco-Strip]

Thanks for the comparison between the two methods. This is good stuff which I will put on our website www.eco-strip for our customers to keep them up to date. They are homeowners, contractors and historic restorationist using the RRP-Compliant speedheater infrared paint remover.

[Lorisa Seibel]

Good review; I look forward to more. One correction:

Lead-Check is approved on any color; there may be an error in the RRP training. Here is the question, answer, and link from EPA:

Does EPA recognize the LeadCheck test kit for use on red paint?

Yes. EPA recognizes this kit for use on any color paint as long as the kit is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

http://toxics.supportportal.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=23019

[Deborah Garrity]

thanks so much for taking the time to publish this. It is really needed to get a grasp of which test to use when and which performs better. Now, better informed, we can make up our own minds. The availability issue could become a problem, however.

[Laura A Peters Cherry City Remodeling Salem OR]

From what I have read Lead Check Swabs do test for lead in paint on sheetrock and drywall. There is even a video on how to do it at www.quickandeasyleadtestkits.com that is put out by LeadCheck TM Swabs.
The instructors in the RRP Classes are using these swabs and giving out a discount code to use on this website. The code is EPA if you need the product and want to save some money.

I have used them and they are by far the better way to test...30 seconds instead of hours...obvious results...if there is red there is lead...

I do not need to send the samples in to a lab...you do not have to have the special tool, to get the exact size for the tests to turn out correctly, you do not have to measure Liquid Part A and Liquid Part B and hope you did it right.