Paint & Varnish Lead Testing
Lead is often found in homes and apartments built before 1978 in old paint, varnish, and dust. Children under 6 are at risk of lead poisoning from eating or breathing dust and paint chips.
Read more about lead poisoning.
When to Test for Lead
You should test for lead if your home or apartment was built before 1978 if:
- You have peeling or chipping paint
- You have windows, floors, and doors that may have paint dust
- You are going to paint or remodel surfaces with old paint or varnish.
Our lab services for lead testing ended permanently on October 1, 2025
We discontinued these services due to very low use of the lab by the public, rising operational costs, aging lab equipment, and the availability to do this testing at other certified labs locally.
How do I test my paint or varnish?
While we have discontinued our services, there is another option for testing at comparable costs. The Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory is in Dane County.
- Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory:
- 608-224-6210 or 800-446-0403
- 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53718
- Mail, bring to front desk, or put your samples in drop box
