I got a bit of a scare today. I had a United States Government truck show up here at my apartment complex yesterday, actually it must have been the day before because I got a really vague inspection notice yesterday about today, anyway, they came back today and did a lead paint inspection of the units here.

The inspector didn't tell me anything, and the only reason I know it was a lead paint inspection is I've seen the way they do it before and recognized what they were doing. They use what looks like a price scanner gun from a grocery store to press up against suspect walls, trim, etc, and wait for it to take a reading. I don't know exactly how it works, but one of the telltale signs is they'll tend to stick to door moldings and things with noticeably thick high-gloss paint on them when taking readings.

I know there is lead paint here, I had to sign a thing stating I was informed about it when I moved in. Apparently when this place was remodeled they did an encapsulation instead of a removal. An encapsulation is where instead of removing anything with lead paint on it, they completely encapsulate it with a special paint. This is supposed to keep the lead from being a hazard.

The fact that the inspector didn't tell me anything has me kinda worried though. I wouldn't know what to look for to tell if I have been affected by lead paint to begin with. I've been in this building for something like 5 years now I think. That's probably plenty of time for anything that would happen, to happen.

I wouldn't worry about it, unless you like to chew your door frames.

My buddy is a roofer and works with lead sheet on a regular basis - it hasn't hurt him any. Any personality defects he has were there beforehand!

If they did find lead in the paint and wanted to do something about it, it wouldn't be your problem though would it? Wouldn't it be the problem of the people who own the apartment?

Definitely not my problem, at least as far as the inspector is concerned. Any health concerns are my problem though, it's my health ! lol

I guess it will be ok. I probably ate some lead paint chips when I was a kid anyways.
When I was still in diapers I rode my tricycle down the neighbors slide only to end up with my face in the dirt and a tricycle on my back. My neighbor fainted and my mom said "Don't worry, he does stuff like that all the time".

Ha, I guess your mom was used to you doing stuff like that if a tricycle landing on your back didn't even phase her!

That's true though... it is your health.

As long as lead paint has been encapsulated, and you don't disturb it, you should be fine living there. Usually they are worried about little children living in homes that still have lead paint in them. Little kids can accidentally eat chipping or pealing paint. Or, if a person decided to sand it down and repaint, that would create dust particles in the air which would be very dangerous to breathe.