Paint Sampling Instructions for Lead Analysis
Public Health - Madison & Dane County provides lead analysis of paint and varnish for $20 per sample.
Samples may be collected from any surface, including toys or furniture. The following steps should be taken when collecting paint or varnish samples for lead analysis:
- Collect one or more paint or varnish chips about the size of a dime that includes all layers of paint or varnish without any of the underlying material (i.e. wood, plaster, etc).
- Place each sample in a clean, sealed plastic bag. Do not mix chips from different surfaces. Each surface should be treated as a different sample.
- Label the bag with the following information:
- Submitter's name, address, and phone number
- Description of the sample including surface type and location (i.e., exterior siding, interior window sill - Child's room)
- Submit samples to:
Chemistry Lab
Public Health - Madison & Dane County
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Rm. 507
Madison, WI 53703-3346
Samples may be submitted by mail or in person from
8am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Test results will be available in 2 to 14 days depending on when the sample is received.
