Lead Paint Detectives News and Socials

Why Dawn and Water Works Cleaning Lead-Safe

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:04:10 GMT

I’m often asked the question… When cleaning Lead-Safe, what would I use?

Passing dust wipe lab tests have continually shown that cleaning Lead-Safe with Dawn and Water in a spray bottle with paper towels cleans Lead-Safe.

And never forget when you're cleaning Lead-Safe… you’re cleaning up lead… It’s an invisible neurotoxin.

ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES!!! ALWAYS!!!... And when you're done cleaning Lead-Safe? Wash your hands with Dawn and water.

Now… Why do Dawn and water work so well? Let’s ask Tom Neltner as to what the soap is and what it is doing.

Tom Neltner is a chemical engineer and attorney dedicated to chemical safety issues. He is using his quarter-century of experience in government, industry, academia, and non-profit advocacy to protect kids from harmful exposure to lead.

Tom Neltner:

Dawn is an ionic surfactant, so it’s going to much better at remove… taking care of greases, than a regular detergent.

Anthony:

So it’s an ionic surfactant attacking the dirt and the grease. So, what’s an ionic surfactant?

Here’s some science for you.

An ionic surfactant is a surface-active agent that carries a net electrical charge on its water-loving (hydrophilic) "head." When these molecules are dissolved in water, they dissociate into ions.

Surfactants are unique because they have a dual nature: a hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail that avoids water and a hydrophilic (water-loving) head that seeks it. In ionic surfactants, the head group is electronically charged, which dictates how the surfactant interacts with surfaces, dirt, and other chemicals.

Tom Neltner: It sounds like you’re going after the… it helps you on the accumulated greases that you may encounter.

Anthony:

Exactly. You can see in this graphic how an ionic surfactant works.

• Water alone can’t easily lift non-polar grime.

• When the Ionic Surfactant meets dirt and grease, the tails attach to the grease, and the heads stick to water.

• The surfactants surrounding the grease and dirt create a shell and lift it.

• The grease is fully encapsulated in a Micelle, making the entire exterior water-soluble.

• Micelles, now water-friendly, are rinsed away, leaving a clean surface.

What does all this mean? Dawn and water takes dirt and grease out of your way, and in the process of attacking and removing the dirt and grease, you’re also picking up the invisible lead dust.

How much Dawn in water am I using in a large spray bottle that carries 30 ounces of water?

I usually say a good few squirts, and you’ll be all set.

However, how much is a few good squirts?

1,2,3…

That’s a full 2 ounces!

2 ounces of Dawn go into 30 ounces in that spray bottle.

Remember, always wear gloves when cleaning Lead-Safe.

Paper towels, a mixture of Dawn and water, and a quality spray bottle. Time and time again, lab tests have proven… keeping it simple cleans Lead-Safe.

By the way, I’m not sponsored by Dawn. I just know after lab tests, this really works well cleaning Lead-Safe.

New Orleans Healthy Housing National Conference and Ohio Healthy Homes Network Conference

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:47:55 GMT

The Lead Paint Detectives will be out of town the last week in April 2026!!

The Lead Paint Detectives are attending the New Orleans Lead and Healthy Housing National Conference, April 28-30, 2026. This conference is expert-led education on lead poisoning prevention & healthy housing. That same week, on March 1, 2026, the Lead Paint Detectives are going to Columbus for the one-day Ohio Healthy Homes Network conference on May 1, 2026.

The Lead Paint Detectives are excited to expand our knowledge of the latest industry trends, meet with experts in the Lead-Safe field, and network with friends from around the country and the world whom I’ve communicated with but haven’t met face-to-face.

Lead Training Opportunity - Funding Available Through June 30, 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:23:19 GMT

The Dell Group has received funding to cover the cost of select lead trainings through June 30, 2026.

Participants will be required to pay an initial deposit of 30%, which will be fully reimbursed upon successful completion of the training.

Review the PDF link details below, including eligibility and training offerings.

Grant Instructions PDF

2023 - 2026 Grant Student Form PDF

Lead Experts 2026 Schedule

I encourage you to share this information with your networks, colleagues, and any individuals who may be interested in becoming certified or expanding their credentials in lead-related work.

Classes will fill up quickly... Get your spot now!!!

Follow the instructions on the PDF's.

National Minority Health Month Kick Off! April 1, 2026

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:30:01 GMT

Empowering families with lead safety knowledge and healthy family resources.

National Minority Health Month Kick Off!

April 1, 2026

The Lead Paint Detectives will be there demonstrating Lead-Safe cleaning techniques to help keep your family healthy and free from lead poisoning.

Empowering families with lead safety knowledge and healthy family resources.

12:30pm - 3:30pm

Glass City Enrichment Center

815 Front St

Toledo, OH 43605

Healthy Family Workshops Opportunities

1:00pm - 2:30pm

FREE FOOD

COMMUNITY RESOURCE TABLES

GIVEAWAYS

FAMILY FUN

*Use the QR code on the flyer to register and be entered into raffles.

Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lumetallix

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:00:24 GMT

Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection Test

Meeting a parent who has a child who has lead poisoning is heart-wrenching. Lead poisoning never goes away, ever. You can bring lead levels down, but you can’t get them to zero. Lead poisoning is preventable with strategies to help you live a Lead-Safe lifestyle.

My name is Anthony Weaver, and I’m a Lead Risk Assessor with the Lead Paint Detectives. I inspect for lead paint issues and invisible lead dust. For a long time, Lead Risk Assessors needed another tool in the toolbox to help us prevent lead poisoning. The goal is prevention before it happens, rather than when a child gets lead poisoning, and then something is done.

As an inspector, not only do I have a new, incredible tool in the toolbox… so do you!

Anyone can buy Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test from Lumetallix.us.

Lumetallix is easy to use with instant results. If it glows neon green? You’ve found lead!

Meeting the parents of children who now suffer from lead poisoning, they want to know, what do I do next?

Starting with Lumetallix, the UV light and the reagent spray, you can get out in front of lead poisoning and invisible lead by finding where it is in your home. Use Lumetallix to test toys, floors, window troughs, window sills, and more.

What is the answer when you find invisible lead dust?

When it glows neon green, it’s time to clean.

I’ve been an inspector since 2017, and one of the things I have found that mitigates lead dust the best… Lead-Safe cleaning. It’s possible to live in a home built before 1978 and live Lead-Safe once you know the strategies and techniques of Lead-Safe cleaning. I have videos that show you what to do and how to do it.

Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test helps you get ahead of invisible lead dust.

There’s no better way to find out for yourself if lead dust is an issue in your home. Protect you, your family, and especially… protect the children by discovering if you have invisible lead dust issues in your home.

Lumetallix helps prevent lead poisoning and is an important tool in the toolbox when you’re trying to live a Lead-Safe lifestyle.

Get your Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test available at Amazon.com

Schedule a Lead-Safe inspection with the Lead Paint Detectives. Go to leadpaintdetectives.com for more videos and Lead-Safe resources. You can contact us through our website, phone, or email.

0:00 Start

0:08 Lead poisoning doesn't go away

0:26 Needing another tool in the toolbox

1:00 Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test introduction

1:08 Easy to use, instant results

1:18 After lead poisoning, what do I do next?

1:38 Use Lumetallix to find invisible lead dust

1:52 When it glows neon GREEN, it's time to Lead-Safe clean

2:20 Get ahead of invisible lead dust

2:35 Protect your family with Lumetallix

2:54 Get your Lumetallix

3:03 Not sure what to do? Schedule a Lead-Safe Inspection

Lead-Safe vs Lead-Free

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:00:19 GMT

Lead-Safe vs Lead-Free - What's the difference?

There’s a world of difference between Lead-Safe and Lead-Free. Why? Because there’s no such thing as Lead-Free. Let me repeat that.

There is no such thing as Lead-Free!

Lead is found everywhere in our environment… in the soil, in the air, and of course, in lead paint. I have performed inspections all over Northwest Ohio, including Perrysburg, Whitehouse, Bryan, Toledo, and more. I’ve been hunting down sources of lead dust, finding lead dust, and helping families figure out where it’s coming from and what to do about invisible lead dust.

I'm Anthony Weaver, a Lead Risk Assessor with Lead Paint Detectives. Was your home built before 1978? More than likely, lead paint was used. Homes built before 1978 have a high likelihood that lead paint was used. The older the home is, the more likely lead paint is present.

So, if there’s no such thing as Lead-Free, what do you do?

You create a Lead-Safe home. Lead-painted friction surfaces like doors, windows, old cabinets… they all create invisible lead dust that’s toxic to humans. You can check to see if you have invisible lead dust issues with Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test. You can check on your friction surfaces and after you’ve cleaned, to make you've cleaned Lead-Safe.

Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test is easy to use, and you get the results instantly.

If it glows NEON GREEN, you’ve found invisible lead dust!

You can get your Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test at Lumetallix.us, and it’s also available at Amazon.com.

With proper maintenance, Lead-Safe cleaning, and Lead-Safe testing using Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection test, you can get exactly what you’re looking for, a home that’s healthy and Lead-Safe.

Protecting you and your family from toxic lead dust is extremely important. You're already cleaning, you might as well be cleaning Lead-Safe.

The Lead Paint Detectives have produced videos about Lead-Safe cleaning techniques and methods, products to use, what to do, and what not to do. The videos show that with proper Lead-Safe cleaning techniques, you can live Lead-Safe in a lead-painted home.

Remember, there’s no such thing as Lead-Free… there’s only living healthy and Lead-Safe.

For more information and Lead-Safe resources, go to leadpaintdetectives.com. You can also contact us through our website, phone, or email.

0:00 Start

0:03 Lead-Safe vs Lead-Free

0:18 Lead in our environment

0:50 Was your home built before 1978?

1:16 What do you do if there is no such thing as Lead-Free

1:34 Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection Test

1:58 If it glows NEON GREEN, you've found invisible lead dust

2:30 Protect you and your family from toxic lead dust

3:00 There's no such thing as Lead-Free

Lead Safe Ordinance - Notice of Violations (NOV)

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:36:51 GMT

Lead Safe Ordinance -Notice of Violations-Are you in compliance? - March 1, 2026

The first phase of the Lead-Safe Ordinance was due December 31, 2025. At the end of February 2026, the City mailed Notice of Violation letters to property owners whose rental properties are currently not in compliance with Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 1760 — the Lead-Safe Ordinance.

If you received this letter, it means City records indicate that your one- to four-unit residential rental property, or family childcare home built prior to 1978, does not have a valid Lead-Safe Certificate on file.

Let me explain what that means — and what happens next.

What the Notice Says...

The Notice explains that:

• The City’s review of Lucas County Auditor records identifies you as the owner of the property.

• The property does not have a valid Lead-Safe Certificate.

• The ordinance requires covered properties to obtain and maintain a valid certificate.

This requirement is not new. It has been in effect and phased in by census tract over the past several years.

What You Must Do Now

The Notice orders property owners to complete three required steps within 30 days of receipt :

1. Obtain a qualifying lead-safe inspection conducted by a properly licensed professional.

2. Submit a complete Lead-Safe Certificate application with all required documentation and fees.

3. Receive an approved Lead-Safe Certificate issued by the City of Toledo.

It is important to understand:

Submitting an application alone does not constitute compliance.

Compliance is achieved only when the City issues an approved Lead-Safe Certificate.

________________________________________

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

If a property owner fails to obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate within 30 days after service of the notice, the case may be referred for criminal charges in Toledo Municipal Court.

________________________________________

If the Case Goes to Court

If a case is referred to Toledo Municipal Court, property owners will have the opportunity to appear before a judge and present documentation showing they are actively pursuing compliance.

However, the best course of action is to act now — schedule your inspection, submit a complete application, and obtain your certificate before enforcement escalates.

________________________________________

If You’ve Already Complied

If you believe you received the notice in error — for example:

• You already have a valid certificate,

• You recently sold the property,

• Or the property is not a rental,

Please contact us through the www.toledoleadsafe.com website so we can review your situation.

________________________________________

Why This Matters

Lead poisoning remains a serious issue in Toledo.

Each year, hundreds of children in our community test positive for elevated blood lead levels. Lead exposure can cause permanent neurological damage, learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, and lifelong health consequences.

The Lead Safe Ordinance is about preventing harm before it happens.

Safe housing protects:

• Children

• Families

• Tenants

• And property owners from long-term liability

________________________________________

Where to Get Help

Information about the ordinance and application requirements is available at:

toledoleadsafe.com

Questions may be submitted through the contact page on the website.

Please note: Submitting a question does not pause the 30-day compliance deadline.

________________________________________

Closing

If you received a Notice of Violation, the best step you can take is to act quickly.

Schedule your inspection.

Submit a complete application.

Obtain your Lead-Safe Certificate.

Do you have questions about the Lead-Safe Ordinance, or do you have questions about the process of Lead-Safe Inspections? Give the Lead Paint Detectives a call, and we'll help you out. We'll help you figure out what you need, what you need to do next, and get your Lead-Safe Certificate. Go to LeadPaintDetectives.com for more videos and Lead-Safe resources.

Lead-Safe Ordinance Update - Notice of Violations Phase 1 - They're are on the way!

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:24:45 GMT

The Toledo, Ohio Lead-Safe Ordinance Phase 1 deadline of December 31, 2025, has passed. Beginning January 1 of 2026, a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued.

The Lead-Safe Ordinance Phase 1 deadline of December 31, 2025, has passed.

The City of Toledo Phase 2 has started with a deadline of June 30, 2026.

I’m going to stay focused on Phase 1 and what happens next.

Beginning January 1 of 2026, a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued.

Any Phase 1 unit (link to map) without a valid Lead-Safe Certificate will be issued a NOV. Owners will have 45 additional days from the date of the Notice of Violation to achieve compliance.

If the property unit is still not compliant, the case will be sent to the Toledo Municipal Court.

If the property remains non-compliant after the 45-day period, the case will be sent to the Toledo Municipal Court for failure to comply with the Lead-Safe Ordinance.

The Court will then determine the next steps and all scheduling.

What’s The City of Toledo’s Communication to the Property Owners?

Owners will receive formal written notices at each step of the process.

Instructions for compliance are included directly in the NOV.

Inspectors do not advise owners on appeals or extensions.

Nobody really knows exactly how the court will handle each of these NOV’s. Will the court consider whether you have started the inspection process? Will the fact that we’re in the dead of Winter and exterior painting? It’s out of the question!

Here’s what we know from the City of Toledo… Failure to comply may result in the following penalties:

A first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The Toledo Blade wrote that more than 6,500 properties are subject to the deadline, and only 1,516 have received a certificate as of Dec. 18 — a compliance rate of under 25 percent, according to the city.

A lot of NOV’s will be mailed out by the city. I know some of you are going to test the waters to see what happens next. From this vantage point, the waters seem pretty rocky, and the coast is unclear. You do have a way to make the navigation smoother for yourself.

My advice… get a Visual Pre-Inspection with a Maintenance Report that includes pictures so you know what you have and what your options are moving forward.

Questions? Give the Lead Paint Detectives a call, email, visit leadpaintdetectives.com, contact us, or reach out on our socials!

Lead Paint Terms

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 13:48:58 GMT

Lead Paint Terms: Interim controls, paint stabilization, encapsulation, enclosure, lead abatement

Joe Levitch of Lead-Locators.com posted an article, “EPA Cover-Up Words,” and I was intrigued because he wrote what I was thinking. As a Lead Risk Assessor, I should be talking the same lingo as all other Lead Paint Inspectors, so when I talk to clients, tenants, or anyone else, we, as inspectors, can help you make sense of the terms using the same language.

The terms I’m referring to are Interim controls, paint stabilization, encapsulation, enclosure, and lead abatement.

* Interim controls are temporary measures to cover lead-painted surfaces.

* Paint Stabilization, which is a covering with a sealing paint, typically used for short-term applications.

* Encapsulation. Think of it as paint on steroids. It is specifically designed to be a painted-on thick lead sealer typically used for long-term applications.

* Enclosure is a long-term technique used to add an impermeable cover to a leaded component. Think new vinyl siding over old leaded siding.

* Lead Abatement is not an interim control. This typically involves removing leaded components altogether from the home.

o Sometimes removing all the leaded components from a home is not practical. This is where Enclosure and/or Encapsulation are more appropriate.

o These techniques and materials are still interim stabilization measures because deep down, there is still lead paint existing.

Paint stabilization is a process that leaves lead paint on the substrate, like a wall, but seals the lead paint in a way that protects the occupants from exposure.

There are two types of control methods … Interim Controls and Lead Abatement.

Interim controls are short-term and last 4-5 years. They are typically completed with sealer paint before a reinspection. Interim controls are a set of measures to temporarily reduce human exposure or likely exposure to lead paint and lead paint dust. These measures can also include specialized cleaning, repairs, maintenance, temporary containment, and ongoing monitoring of maintenance. An example is a water leak that causes a lead-painted surface to peel and/or crack.

Encapsulation is considered long-term term up to 20 years. It refers to a specialized coating, an encapsulant, over the lead-based paint to seal it and prevent the release of lead-based paint chips and dust. Don’t be fooled by the hype of these products. They are hard to use and apply. Joe Levitch from Lead Locators said, “I have not read anything positive about these products.” On my Lead Paint Inspections, I have found that encapsulation products don’t work on friction or impact surfaces and wear out quickly, even if the directions are followed to a “T”. It’s also important to note that the surface that’s intended to be encapsulated must be intact for the encapsulation product to hold.

In my experience, no matter the manufacturer, it sounds great, but in terms of longevity, it is not effective.

Lead Enclosure is long-term, lasting 20 Years. It must be done with the understanding that it’s less expensive than abatement, but that the lead is still under there. An example is adding new siding over old lead-based paint siding.

The major difference in my inspection world is that the terms I use depend on what inspection is appropriate for the situation. Let me explain…

If I am doing a lead hazard inspection. The typical interim controls I will suggest are short-term Paint stabilization.

If I am doing a Risk Assessment, depending on the situation and what I see, I recommend different paint stabilization techniques.

If I am doing a Lead abatement inspection. I want to make sure the leaded components are gone. If not, I want to make sure the contractors have used an Encapsulation product or an Enclosure technique. These are a form of paint stabilization tools that, if for some reason, the leaded component can’t be removed. They are reportedly effective enough to last 20 years, based on the Toledo, Ohio, Lead-Safe Ordinance 20-year Lead-Safe Certificate.

Want to know the source of the lead dust in your home built before 1978? Go to instantleadtestkits.com and check out Lumetallix, the Instant Lead Detection test. Now you can see invisible lead dust instantly! If it glows neon green, you’ve found lead! Instantleadtestkits.com and check out Lumetallix.

For more lead paint information, resources, and videos, go to LeadPaintDetectives.com

Toledo, Ohio City Council Passes New Lead Safe Ordinance

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 12:22:43 GMT

On April 22, 2025, Toledo, Ohio City Council passes new Lead-Safe Ordinance

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Toledo City Council repealed, replaced, and adopted a new version of Chapter 1760 of the Toledo Municipal Code: Residential Rental Properties and Lead Safety Compliance—commonly known as the Lead-Safe Ordinance. The updated ordinance is officially here!

Under the new Lead-Safe Ordinance, 1- to 4-unit rental properties and in-home daycares in the City of Toledo are required to obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate. The first compliance deadline for Phase 1 properties is December 31, 2025.

Since the Lead-Safe Ordinance just passed, it’s going to take some time to update city systems, maps, and websites. In fact, the final text of the ordinance has not yet been widely released. You can expect to see updates rolling out throughout May 2025, and I’ll keep you informed as new details become available.

If you need help understanding the Lead-Safe inspection process, contact the Lead Paint Detectives. Visit LeadPaintDetectives.com for information, videos, and resources—or reach out by phone or email today!

Lead Paint Detectives News and Socials

Why Dawn and Water Works Cleaning Lead-Safe

I’m often asked the question… When cleaning Lead-Safe, what would I use?

New Orleans Healthy Housing National Conference and Ohio Healthy Homes Network Conference

The Lead Paint Detectives will be out of town the last week in April 2026!!

Lead Training Opportunity - Funding Available Through June 30, 2026

The Dell Group has received funding to cover the cost of select lead trainings through June 30, 2026. ﻿

National Minority Health Month Kick Off! April 1, 2026

Empowering families with lead safety knowledge and healthy family resources.

Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lumetallix

Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection Test

Lead-Safe vs Lead-Free

Lead-Safe vs Lead-Free - What's the difference?

Lead Safe Ordinance - Notice of Violations (NOV)

Lead Safe Ordinance -Notice of Violations-Are you in compliance? - March 1, 2026

Lead-Safe Ordinance Update - Notice of Violations Phase 1 - They're are on the way!

The Toledo, Ohio Lead-Safe Ordinance Phase 1 deadline of December 31, 2025, has passed. Beginning January 1 of 2026, a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued.

Lead Paint Terms

Lead Paint Terms: Interim controls, paint stabilization, encapsulation, enclosure, lead abatement

Toledo, Ohio City Council Passes New Lead Safe Ordinance

On April 22, 2025, Toledo, Ohio City Council passes new Lead-Safe Ordinance

The Dell Group has received funding to cover the cost of select lead trainings through June 30, 2026.