--- title: "How to Tell If Paint Has Lead: Age, Testing and Missouri Rules" description: "You cannot tell by looking. EPA says the only way to know is testing. See home-age odds, your test options in Missouri and what to do while you wait." url: https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-paint-has-lead publisher: Advanced Environmental Services phone: +1-314-865-2662 quote: https://www.aes-stl.com/contact --- Practical: 6 min read, published June 19, 2026 # How to Tell If Paint Has Lead: Age, Testing and Missouri Rules You cannot tell if paint has lead by looking at it. EPA says the only way to know for certain is to have it tested, and it recommends a certified inspector or risk assessor. Until you have results, treat the paint in any home built before 1978 as if it contains lead. [Request a Quote](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact)[(314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662) ![AES worker using a vacuum-equipped tool on a wall inside lead abatement containment](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/124.vs-sRkO-_Z1RTHvh.webp) ![AES crew member in a protective suit scraping old wall material from scaffolding](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/100.Beg0SK9K_Z2cMAXv.webp) ![Building wrapped in white containment sheeting during an AES lead abatement project](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/127.BqgpMQY__7ReD8.webp) ## Can you tell if paint has lead by looking at it? No. Old paint with lead and old paint without it can look the same. EPA says the only way to know for certain whether a building has lead-based paint or lead hazards is to have it tested. So the real questions are how likely your paint is to contain lead, and which test fits your situation. This post answers both. It also covers the Missouri rule on who can take paint samples, because that rule changes what a St. Louis homeowner should do. ## What clues do people look for, and do they prove anything? Clues only tell you the paint is old or failing. They do not tell you it contains lead. People point to a cracked “alligator” pattern, a chalky surface, many layers of paint, or paint on windows and trim that rubs and peels. Those signs show age, wear and moisture. Plenty of old paint without lead looks the same. Use the clues for one thing: deciding where to act first. EPA says that if painted surfaces are deteriorating, this may create a hazard that requires immediate attention and a certified lead professional should be hired. EPA also says to look at surfaces that rub, such as doors and window sills, because worn lead paint there can produce chips and dust. ## How likely is it that my house has lead paint? The older the home, the more likely. EPA says approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint. Missouri’s health department gives higher estimates for the state, broken out by decade. Missouri DHSS estimates 60% of dwellings built between 1960 and 1978 contain lead-based paint, 80% of those built from 1940 to 1959, and as high as 90% of those built before 1949. The two sources measure different things, so treat both as odds, not as a prediction for your house. Year built Missouri DHSS estimate of dwellings with lead-based paint Before 1949 As high as 90% 1940 to 1959 80% 1960 to 1978 60% After 1978 Not covered by this estimate St. Louis has an old housing stock. The Census Bureau’s 2024 one-year estimates count 174,694 housing units in St. Louis city. Of those, 98,061 were built in 1939 or earlier, and another 10,923 were built from 1940 to 1949. That is about 62% of all city homes built before 1950, which is close to the group where DHSS gives its highest estimate. If your house is one of them, treat the paint as lead paint until a test says otherwise. Our guide to [lead paint in pre-1978 homes](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/lead-paint-in-pre-1978-homes) covers why 1978 matters, and the glossary explains [lead-based paint](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/lead-based-paint). ## What are my options for finding out? You have four. Each has a cost in money, time and certainty. Option What it tells you Limits Treat the paint as lead and work as if it is there Nothing about the paint, but you act safely EPA says to assume lead-based paint when you cannot determine the home’s age. You may spend more than needed on precautions Certified lead-based paint inspector Whether the building has lead-based paint and where it is EPA says an inspection will not tell you if lead hazards exist now or how to deal with them Certified risk assessor Whether lead hazards exist from paint, dust or soil, and what to do Gives the broader hazard picture. Useful when children live in the home Hardware-store test kit A quick screen CPSC says to exercise caution with these kits. EPA recognizes only three kits, and only for use by lead-safe certified renovators EPA recommends that you hire a certified inspector or risk assessor. That is the route that gives a clear, usable answer. An inspector may use a tool such as an [XRF analyzer](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/xrf-analyzer) or may collect samples for a lab. EPA also says you can contact a laboratory in its National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program for paint chip, dust or soil analysis. ## What should I ask a lead inspector or risk assessor? Ask five questions before you book. The answers tell you whether you will get a result you can use. 1. Are you licensed by DHSS as a lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor? 2. Will you test with an XRF analyzer, collect paint chips, or both? 3. Does the lab you use hold EPA’s NLLAP recognition for paint chip, dust or soil analysis? 4. Does the report list each tested surface and say where lead was found? 5. Do I need an inspection, a risk assessment, or both? Remember that an inspection finds lead paint and a risk assessment finds hazards and next steps. Keep the written report. A buyer, a landlord, a lender or a later contractor may ask for it. ## Who can take paint chip samples in Missouri? A licensed lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor. DHSS says that in Missouri, paint chip sampling must be performed by one of them. The safest path for any owner is not to scrape your own samples. Scraping or sanding old paint creates dust, and dust is how lead gets into people, especially children. A licensed inspector takes samples in a controlled way and sends them to a lab. ## What should I do while I wait for results? Act as if the paint contains lead. These steps are low-cost and do not disturb the paint. 1. **Do not sand, scrape, burn or power-wash** painted surfaces on a pre-1978 home. 2. **Keep children away** from any area where paint is chipping or peeling. 3. **Wet-wipe window sills, floors and door frames** with a damp disposable cloth instead of dry sweeping or vacuuming without a HEPA filter. 4. **Check high-wear spots first.** Windows, doors, stairs, porches and railings take the most friction and shed the most dust. 5. **Hold off on remodeling** until you have a result. If a contractor says they will “just sand it,” ask whether they are certified and what lead-safe steps they use. 6. **Do not paint over it and call it done.** EPA says that just painting over the paint hazards with regular paint will not permanently address lead-based paint hazards. Our [lead paint facts](https://www.aes-stl.com/lead-paint-facts) page covers the health side, and the [lead help in St. Louis](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/lead-help-in-st-louis) guide lists local programs, including inspection help for some households. For a broader checklist on older houses, see [testing an older St. Louis home](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/testing-an-older-st-louis-home). ## What happens if the test is positive? A positive result does not mean you must tear everything out. What you do next depends on the paint’s condition, where it is, and what work you plan. Sort your result into one of three groups, because the group shapes the cost, the schedule and who you hire. - **Intact paint, no renovation planned:** keep it intact, clean dust often and watch for chipping. - **Renovation planned:** the work may fall under EPA’s [RRP rule](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/rrp-rule), which sets lead-safe work practices for pre-1978 housing. - **Peeling, chipping or high-wear surfaces:** talk to a lead professional about fixing the hazard. In Missouri, removal, replacement, enclosure and encapsulation count as abatement. DHSS says anyone performing those strategies must be licensed and must provide notification to the Department as required. Missouri has a narrow exception for owners who work on their own homes, so ask DHSS before you plan any do-it-yourself work. ## Next step If you know or suspect that lead paint is chipping, peeling or in the way of a project, call Advanced Environmental Services at (314) 865-2662 or use the [contact form](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). Our [lead abatement](https://www.aes-stl.com/lead-abatement) page explains the service. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I tell if paint has lead by how it looks? No. EPA says the only way to know for certain whether a building has lead-based paint or lead hazards is to have it tested. Color, cracking and wear do not prove it either way. Home age raises or lowers the odds, but only testing gives the answer. ### Do home lead test kits work? Be careful. EPA notes that the Consumer Product Safety Commission says consumers should exercise caution when using lead test kits sold in hardware stores. EPA recognizes three kits, but only for use by lead-safe certified renovators. For a clear answer, EPA recommends a certified inspector or risk assessor. ### What is the difference between a lead inspection and a risk assessment? EPA says an inspection tells you if a building has lead-based paint and where it is, but not whether lead hazards exist now. A risk assessment tells you if the building has lead hazards from paint, dust or soil and what actions to take. Many owners want both answers before a renovation. ### Should I scrape off paint and send it to a lab? Do not scrape it yourself. Scraping makes dust. DHSS says that in Missouri, paint chip sampling must be performed by a licensed lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor. Ask the inspector to take the samples and send them to an accredited lab. ### My house was built in 1985. Do I need to worry? The federal government banned the sale of lead-based paint for use in homes in 1978, so the odds and the rules focus on homes built before then. A 1985 house sits outside them. If you are not sure of the build date, or you work on an older part of the house, treat the paint as lead paint until a test says otherwise. ## Terms on this page - [Lead-based paint](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/lead-based-paint) - [Lead abatement](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/lead-abatement) - [Encapsulation](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/encapsulation) - [XRF analyzer](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/xrf-analyzer) - [HEPA filter](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/hepa-filter) - [RRP rule](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/rrp-rule) ## Sources 1. [U.S. EPA: Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment (archived June 2, 2026; page last updated May 28, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260602131020/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment) 2. [U.S. EPA: Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment (inspection, archived June 2, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260602131020/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment) 3. [U.S. EPA: Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment (national odds, archived June 2, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260602131020/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment) 4. [U.S. EPA: Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment (deteriorating paint, archived June 2, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260602131020/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment) 5. [U.S. EPA: Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment (1978 ban, archived June 2, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260602131020/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment) 6. [U.S. EPA: Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment (friction surfaces, archived June 2, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260602131020/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment) 7. [U.S. EPA: Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment (painting over, archived June 2, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260602131020/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment) 8. [U.S. EPA: Can a homeowner use an EPA-recognized lead test kit? (archive of the EPA site as of January 19, 2021)](https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/lead/can-homeowner-use-epa-recognized-lead-test-kit-check-lead-based-paint_.html) 9. [U.S. EPA: Can a homeowner use an EPA-recognized lead test kit? (inspector, archive as of January 19, 2021)](https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/lead/can-homeowner-use-epa-recognized-lead-test-kit-check-lead-based-paint_.html) 10. [U.S. EPA: Can a homeowner use an EPA-recognized lead test kit? (recognized kits, archive as of January 19, 2021)](https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/lead/can-homeowner-use-epa-recognized-lead-test-kit-check-lead-based-paint_.html) 11. [U.S. EPA: Can a homeowner use an EPA-recognized lead test kit? (laboratory, archive as of January 19, 2021)](https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/lead/can-homeowner-use-epa-recognized-lead-test-kit-check-lead-based-paint_.html) 12. [U.S. EPA: Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers (unknown age, archived June 8, 2026; page last updated May 27, 2026)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260608054620/https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers) 13. [Missouri DHSS: Lead Licensing (Missouri housing)](https://health.mo.gov/business-professionals/lead-licensing) 14. [Missouri DHSS: Lead Licensing (paint chip sampling)](https://health.mo.gov/business-professionals/lead-licensing) 15. [U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B25034 Year Structure Built, St. Louis city (estimates, via Census Reporter)](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/latest?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=05000US29510) 16. [U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B25034 (column B25034011 label)](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/latest?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=05000US29510) Written by Advanced Environmental Services and checked against the sources above on June 19, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Testing an older St. Louis home: which test applies when you buy, sell or renovateWhich test applies depends on what you are doing. Selling or buying a pre-1978 home triggers federal lead disclosure. Renovating or demolishing a regulated building triggers an asbestos inspection and notice. The City of St. Louis requires an occupancy inspection on sales. No federal standard sets a mold limit, so a mold test is your choice.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/testing-an-older-st-louis-home) - [Lead help in St. Louis: free inspections, grants, landlord rules and who may do the workThe City of St. Louis inspects for lead free where a child under six or a pregnant woman lives. St. Louis County inspects free when a child under six lives or visits there and has a recent venous blood lead test. Both offer repair help with income and child rules. Lead abatement needs a Missouri licensed contractor, unless the owner does it personally, only the owner or immediate family live there, no child there has an elevated blood lead level, the owner consults DHSS first, and federal rules permit it.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/lead-help-in-st-louis) - [Lead paint in pre-1978 homes: when to test, renovate safely or abateAny home built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. In Missouri, an estimated 60% of homes built 1960 to 1978 do, rising to 90% before 1949. Intact paint is a lower risk. Peeling paint and renovation dust are the problem. Missouri requires licensed lead professionals for abatement and for paint chip sampling.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/lead-paint-in-pre-1978-homes) - [How Much Is a Lead Paint Inspection? Costs in St. LouisHomeGuide says a lead inspection costs $300 to $700 on average. HomeAdvisor puts the normal range lower, at $239 to $437. Both exclude lead removal, and a risk assessment costs more. In the City of St. Louis, an inspection is free when a child under six or a pregnant woman lives in the home.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/lead-paint-inspection-cost) - [Free Lead Inspection in St. Louis County: Who QualifiesSt. Louis County's Healthy Homes Program offers free in-home lead inspections to county residents. You qualify if a child under six lives in the home or visits regularly, and that child has a recent venous blood lead level test. Everyone else hires a lead inspector licensed by the state.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/st-louis-county-free-lead-inspections) - [Asbestos in older St. Louis homes: where it hides and what to doAsbestos can hide in floor tile, floor adhesive, siding, roof shingles, textured walls, pipe wrap, furnace parts and attic insulation. About 87% of St. Louis city housing units and 68% of St. Louis County units were built before 1980. The only way to know is a lab test from a certified inspector.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/asbestos-in-older-st-louis-homes) ## Request your custom environmental remediation estimate Contact us for a free environmental remediation or restoration estimate and a personalized solution to your problems. [Or call (314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662)