Test for Lead in Paint: A Minnesota Guide

A few dollars at any hardware store, and it gives an immediate color-change indication on a specific spot. Treat it as a screening tool rather than an answer — the kits are prone to both false positives and false negatives, and they are not something to make an expensive decision on.

The definitive route. An inspector uses an XRF analyzer, which reads lead content through the paint layers without damaging the surface, or takes paint chip samples for laboratory analysis. A risk assessor goes further and evaluates dust and soil as well as the paint itself. Minnesota licenses these professionals through the Department of Health, and the list of licensed firms is publicly available.

Accurate, inexpensive per sample, and useful where you want documentation on one specific component rather than a picture of the whole house. Which one you need depends on why you are asking. For a purchase decision, a rental property, a house with young children in it, or a renovation that will disturb a great deal of surface, a certified inspection is the sensible route and worth the modest cost. For a homeowner simply wondering about an older house, a swab kit and a conversation may be all you want.