Environmental Health & Safety Testing

Lead testing: targeted sampling by an NC licensed lead inspector

ESG is EPA Lead-Safe certified with an NC licensed lead inspector on staff. We collect paint chip, dust wipe, and soil samples, analyzed by accredited labs, so you know which sampled surfaces and locations contain lead and how those results compare with EPA and HUD thresholds. This is targeted sampling, not a formal lead inspection or risk assessment. We test. We never remediate.

Schedule Lead Testing Call 336-373-1538

Independent Testing No Remediation Services Certified Inspectors

ESG inspector collecting a surface sample at a Greensboro NC property

Why it matters

From suspected hazard to verified data

Homes and buildings constructed before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Without testing, you cannot know which surfaces are hazardous, whether dust or soil contamination exists, or what precautions are required before renovation.

ESG inspector collecting a surface sample from framing in an older North Carolina home

Before Testing

Uncertain lead exposure risk

An older building, deteriorating paint, a planned renovation, or a property transaction raises the question, but without sampling, you cannot confirm whether lead-based paint or dust contamination is present.

ESG written lead report comparing laboratory results against EPA and HUD thresholds

After ESG Testing

Lab-verified results and clear next steps

A written report summarizes laboratory findings, compares results against EPA and HUD regulatory thresholds, identifies which sampled locations exceeded those thresholds, and provides practical recommendations, so you can decide what to do next.

What you get

Targeted lead sample collection & lab analysis

ESG follows EPA and HUD guidelines for lead hazard evaluation. Samples are collected with controlled procedures to help prevent contamination, then analyzed by accredited laboratories, with results delivered in a clear written report. Targeted sample collection is not the same as a formal lead inspection or lead risk assessment. Findings apply to the accessible areas, conditions, locations, measurements, and samples evaluated at the time of service. They do not establish conditions throughout the building or guarantee future conditions.

Paint chip sampling from painted building materials: determining lead content and whether the sampled surfaces meet or exceed the EPA 0.5% lead-by-weight threshold

Dust wipe sampling from floors, windowsills, window troughs, stair treads, and doorways: measuring lead dust as a primary exposure pathway

Soil sampling from exterior locations: collecting from the top half inch where contamination from paint weathering or historic leaded gasoline is most likely

Accredited laboratory analysis reporting lead presence and concentration in each sample, with comparison against regulatory thresholds

Written report with summary tables, EPA/HUD threshold comparisons, identification of which sampled locations exceeded thresholds, and recommendations for next steps

Expert consultation with an NC licensed lead inspector to review findings and discuss appropriate follow-up actions

Close-up of a surface sample being collected on an interior surface

Photo: soil sample collection beside an exterior foundation wall

Pages of a written ESG report presenting laboratory lead results

Why ESG

Advanced certifications, independent results

Environmental Solutions Group is EPA Lead-Safe certified, with an NC licensed lead inspector on staff. ESG's team includes a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC), a Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM), Council-certified Residential Indoor Environmentalists (CRIEs), and staff certified in BPI Infiltration and Duct Leakage testing. Credentials are held by the individual professionals who do the work.

ESG is an independent third-party testing and consulting company and does not perform remediation. This separation helps reduce financial conflicts between evaluation and corrective work. We are not financially motivated to find lead hazards, or to minimize them. Our goal is accurate data and practical guidance so you can make informed decisions.

ESG follows EPA and HUD guidelines for lead hazard evaluation work, and our laboratory partners are accredited for lead analysis. Reports compare laboratory results against applicable regulatory thresholds so findings are easy to act on.

Schedule Lead Testing

CIEC

Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant on staff

EPA

Lead-Safe certified: EPA & HUD guidelines followed

1978

Buildings built before this year may contain lead-based paint

Abatement or remediation services performed by ESG

The process

How lead testing works

A straightforward four-step process: from your initial concern to lab-verified results and clear guidance on next steps.

ESG consultant discussing lead testing scope with a client in Greensboro NC

Schedule

Call 336-373-1538 or request online. We discuss your specific concerns (whether paint, dust, soil, or pre-renovation investigation) and determine which sample types are appropriate.

ESG technician operating duct leakage testing equipment in new construction

On-site testing

An NC licensed lead inspector visits the property and collects paint chip, dust wipe, and/or soil samples using controlled procedures per EPA and HUD guidelines to help prevent sample contamination.

Photo: accredited laboratory analyzing lead samples

Lab analysis

Samples are analyzed by accredited laboratories, confirming whether lead is present in each sample, the concentration measured, and whether those levels exceed EPA or HUD regulatory thresholds.

ESG professional reviewing a written lead report with a North Carolina client

Clear report

You receive a written report with lab result tables, regulatory comparisons, identification of which sampled locations exceeded thresholds, and practical recommendations. An ESG professional reviews the findings with you.

Know the difference

Targeted lead testing vs. full lead inspection

Targeted lead testing: focused & practical

Targeted lead sampling investigates specific areas of concern (particular rooms, components, or surfaces) rather than evaluating an entire building. It is the most practical approach for most clients.

Evaluate specific rooms or materials where children live or play
Test targeted surfaces before renovation or demolition work
Investigate exterior soil near deteriorating painted surfaces
Confirm whether suspected materials actually contain lead

Full lead inspection & risk assessment: when more is needed

A full lead inspection evaluates an entire building for all lead-based paint locations, typically using XRF instruments. A lead risk assessment evaluates all pathways of occupant exposure. These are more extensive regulated investigations, and ESG can help you determine whether that scope is necessary.

More extensive and costly than targeted testing for most situations
Typically required for regulated housing or federally funded properties
Usually more than a single renovation or purchase decision requires
Larger inspections may involve collaboration with specialized partner firms

Why clients trust ESG

Independent answers you can rely on

No fabricated promises, just the facts about how we work.

Independent since 2002: 23+ years of environmental testing across NC, VA and TN

We test, we never remediate: this separation helps reduce financial conflicts between evaluation and corrective work

Technical reports receive review appropriate to the service and scope before delivery

EPA Lead-Safe certified with an NC licensed lead inspector on staff

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating, based in Greensboro, NC

Reachable people: 336-373-1538, Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

Common questions

Lead testing: frequently asked questions

What buildings are most likely to contain lead-based paint?

Homes and commercial buildings constructed before 1978 are the primary concern, as residential lead-based paint was banned that year. The older the building, the higher the probability. Buildings from before 1940 are particularly likely to have original lead paint. Lead can also exist in soil around older structures due to exterior paint weathering or historic use of leaded gasoline.

What types of samples does ESG collect for lead testing?

ESG collects three primary types: paint chip samples from painted building components to measure lead content in the paint itself; dust wipe samples from floors, windowsills, window troughs, stair treads, and doorways to measure lead dust as an exposure pathway; and soil samples from exterior locations where weathered paint or environmental contamination may have accumulated.

What is the EPA threshold for lead-based paint?

The EPA defines lead-based paint as paint containing 0.5% lead by weight (5,000 ppm) or greater. Dust and soil have separate regulatory thresholds established by the EPA and HUD. ESG's written reports compare all laboratory results directly against these regulatory standards so findings are immediately interpretable.

Do I need lead testing before a renovation?

EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule applies mainly to renovation work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 buildings, where the firms performing that work follow lead-safe work practices. Testing before renovation can confirm whether the surfaces sampled contain lead-based paint, informing the scope of precautions required and potentially allowing targeted rather than blanket lead-safe work procedures.

What is the difference between targeted lead testing and a full lead inspection?

Targeted testing investigates specific areas, surfaces, or components of concern, and is typically the most practical and cost-effective approach. A full lead inspection evaluates an entire building for all lead-based paint locations using XRF instruments, and is typically required for regulated housing or federally funded properties. ESG can help you determine the right scope for your situation.

Does ESG perform lead abatement or remediation?

No. ESG is an independent third-party testing and consulting company and does not perform remediation. We perform sampling, analysis, and reporting, with no involvement in abatement work. This separation helps reduce financial conflicts between evaluation and corrective work. If elevated lead is found, our recommendations may include stabilizing deteriorating paint, using certified lead-safe renovation practices, or pursuing a full risk assessment, based on the laboratory data and your situation.

Schedule your lead testing

Find out what is in the materials and areas you are concerned about before you renovate, sell, or move in. ESG's independent, targeted lead sampling gives you lab-verified data for the locations sampled so you can make informed decisions.

Ready to get started?