What should I do now?
Airsafe’s rapid-response lead testing means you and your family can be protected fast. Here’s what to do if you think you’ve found lead at home:
- Carefully collect a sample using hand tools (a sample of 5-100 g is plenty).
- Place the sample in a click-lock plastic bag – the kind you’ll find at any supermarket.
- Clean your hand tools thoroughly afterwards.
- Complete our sample submission form, print it, and put the form and the bagged sample in an envelope.
- If you can, bring your sample in person to Airsafe at Level 1, 488 Botany Road, Beaconsfield NSW 2015 – call us first on 1300 888 338 to let us know you’re coming.
- If you can’t bring it in, call us and we’ll arrange another way.
Can you help me over the phone?
We wish we could, but no – our experts can’t tell whether you’ve found lead from a description over the phone. The only reliable way to know is to have a sample analysed. The good news is that’s quick and straightforward, and we’ll walk you through it.
Lead paint
Lead paint (also called lead-based paint, leaded paint or lead-containing paint) is paint containing more than 0.1% lead by mass. Until recently the allowable amount was 1%, but the relevant standards were tightened in 2017.
Lead paint is a health risk if it’s swallowed or inhaled. There’s minimal risk while the paint is in good condition, but it becomes risky once it’s chalky or flaking, or in spots like sash windows where it’s easily disturbed. It’s also dangerous when it’s disturbed by removal – sanding, burning or even mechanical scraping of lead paint all carry a risk.
Dust from deteriorating, peeling or flaking lead paint is a recognised source of lead exposure in homes, and it can settle on outdoor soil, water, food and vegetation. It’s worth being careful about fruit and vegetable gardens, or a water supply, near possible lead contamination.
Lead in ceiling dust and soil
Lead is often found as dust in ceiling spaces, or in soil. It’s frequently a leftover from past refurbishment, but it can also come from:
- atmospheric deposits (for example, from the days of leaded petrol)
- lead residue from nearby industrial sites, such as smelters
- other lead-paint removal projects nearby.
If you think you’ve found lead in dust or soil, it’s worth having a sample tested straight away.
Lead and your family’s health
People are most commonly exposed to lead by breathing in lead dust or fumes, or swallowing lead in food or water. High lead levels can cause serious long-term harm to almost every part of the body – especially the brain, kidneys and reproductive organs – and unborn children are at even greater risk.
Children and adults with raised lead levels may show no symptoms at first. When symptoms do appear, they tend to include lethargy, stomach pain or constipation, headaches and irritability – and children are affected at lower levels of exposure than adults.
4.9 stars from over 640 Google reviews and counting – including homeowners we’ve helped get a fast, clear answer on lead.
“I’ve had samples tested for lead and asbestos by these guys. The instructions for collecting and sending or dripping off samples is very clear. Results were available promptly. The sample for lead paint had to be sent offsite as it was too large for them but they communicated this to me quickly and clearly. Would recommend.”– Stephen Mitchell, July 2025
“I highly recommend Angus from Airsafe. He attended by apartment to test for lead paint. Angus was obviously skilled and knowledgeable in regards to the process and was able to confidently and answer any questions I had throughout. He finished sooner than expected and rather than leaving he carried out testing in some other areas so I was left with a detailed and comprehensive report that details exactly what I needed to know about lead in my apartment.”– Sarah Marriott, June 2025
“Airsafe provided a very prompt and professional service in relation to testing paint samples for lead content. The report is detailed and easy to read.”– Tony Jaques, August 2025
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
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No – there’s no reliable way to identify lead from a description. We can only confirm it through laboratory analysis of a sample. It’s quick and inexpensive, and we’ll talk you through collecting and submitting a sample. Call us on 1300 888 338.
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Paint containing more than 0.1% lead by mass. The limit used to be 1%, but the standards were tightened in 2017, so older paint is more likely to be a concern. Paint in good condition is low-risk; the danger comes when it’s chalky, flaking or disturbed by sanding, scraping or burning.
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Carefully take a 5-100 g sample with hand tools, seal it in a click-lock bag, and clean your tools afterwards. Complete and print our sample submission form, then bring the form and sample to us at Level 1, 488 Botany Road, Beaconsfield (call first on 1300 888 338), or call to arrange another way to get it to us.
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Lead can cause serious long-term harm, especially to the brain, kidneys and reproductive organs, and children and unborn babies are most at risk. People often show no symptoms at first; when symptoms appear they include lethargy, stomach pain or constipation, headaches and irritability. That’s why it’s worth confirming quickly whether what you’ve found is lead.
Get a definitive answer on lead today
If you think you’ve found lead, the fastest way to stop worrying is to have it tested.
We work across Sydney, NSW and Australia, with travel built into our quotes for sites further afield.
Submit a sample, contact us for a fast quote, or call Airsafe on 1300 888 338.
Last updated: May 2026
