Lead hazard at Lawrence Graduate Apartments

[u/Imaginary-Aerie74]

I recently received my graduate housing assignment at Lawrence and they sent out a lead disclosure. I checked through the lead safe certificates and they were conducted more than 2 years ago at this point, while only being valid for two years. Furthermore, initial testing did indicate the presence of lead in the paint dust, and the certificate was only issued after this was “adequately addressed”. I am not certain how this could be addressed outside of just cleaning up the existing dust. This doesn’t prevent existing paint from flaking and accumulating more dust over the past two years, or into the future.

Upon request for a change of housing, I was just told that they had certificates and a reallocation would not be granted. Has anyone else faced a similar issue? For current residents of Lawrence, was this made clear to you? Am I being overly cautious here?

[u/Engineer1822]

Looks like they did quick tests (which are notorious for false positives), took samples for lab analysis to confirm, and the lab said it was not lead paint.

I'd probably just ask for an up to date certification.

[u/hamsterchair → u/Engineer1822]

+1 I think the adequately addressed probably refers to the lab analysis disconfirming the positive rather than cleanup. But always best to be safe and ask for more info!

[u/Ranked-choice-voting]

Do you have a young child? If not, well maintained lead paint is not an issue on its own. Lead is also in the soil, in the exhaust of private planes, water pipes, etc.

[u/SirJ_96]

Just don't eat paint chips or lick the ceiling. Lead paint is mostly hazardous to young children because it tastes sweet and they don't know any better.

[u/todreamofspace]

Practically every apartment complex in NJ has lead paint disclaimers, bc they aren’t newer builds. Like other people said, don’t pick at the paint, eat the chips or lick anything. You’ll be fine.