Where in Helsinki to test paint for lead?

AlexInHelsinki · Post by **AlexInHelsinki** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:18 pm

Anyone know? And about how much does it cost??

Thx.

**Sponsor:**

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:59 am

Some VTT or the likes and a few thousands or something.

AlexInHelsinki · Post by **AlexInHelsinki** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:21 pm

Whaaaa...??

A few thousand?

AldenG · Post by **AldenG** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:40 am

I suggest Googling home test lead paint and ordering a do-it-yourself kit.

Have you already checked that hardware stores and paint stores don't stock such a thing?

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:31 am

You could try emailing Tukes:

http://www.tukes.fi/en/

...but I'm not really sure if it falls in their remit. If the paint is in a public place, you could ask your local municipal office for advice. If the paint is on sale in a store, then you could try the consumer advisory service.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:45 am

AldenG wrote:I suggest Googling home test lead paint

Feeding it to the neighbor's cat?

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:55 am

AlexTroublemaker wrote:Whaaaa...??

A few thousand?

How about telling what paint you want to test?

If you are buying, it it does not say lead (lyijy) in the paint, my understanding is that it may NOT contain it either.
If it has the text, it has lead.

AlexInHelsinki · Post by **AlexInHelsinki** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:43 am

Home test kits apparently aren't accurate at all.

As far as WHAT paint it is, it's not new paint...they don't sell lead paint in Finland anymore as far as I'm aware.

It's the old white paint that is on the interior walls of my flat and on some old doors I'm installing. The paint on the doors is almost certainly pre-1970.

Guess my best bet is to ask at the paint/hardware store.

Desundial · Post by **Desundial** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:49 pm

Please post what you find out! I'm curious to know how it's done here.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:05 pm

AlexTroublemaker wrote: Guess my best bet is to ask at the paint/hardware store.

Best bet would be to ask from www.environment.fi imho. At least they should know a lab...

AlexInHelsinki · Post by **AlexInHelsinki** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:19 pm

I've emailed both Tukes and the environmental health website. Will let you know what they say (if anything).

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:46 pm

Well if its white, all colors up to 60's or say mid 70's were lead white. After that you get lead in the red paint used in rustproofing or boat bottoms... so why do you want to test it *after* the fact. You got shiney eyes already. Next time use a blowheater and NitroMors

Dear Diary
Today the last ticks that I got from the electrocution I got messing with my wires started to lapse. However I am starting to loose hair as I think I ate some lead paint chips. The flooding isn't as bad any more, but the plumber was cute. I don't think I'll be writing this diary this often, as a friend is bringing over a buzzsaw tomorrow.
Alex

Mattlill2000 · Post by **Mattlill2000** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:28 pm

Most likely any lead paint would of been repainted on top of the "lead" coat since they stopped putting lead in interior paints in the '70s, and I'm sure you don't have '70s surfaces anymore. If thats the case the lead is lurking under the newer layers of paint. If your concerned about having the lead exposed by renovating like sanding etc., you have take all the precautions available. Any renovation of older buildings will definitely expose all sorts of chemicals into the enviornment.
I'd just take it for granted that lead is there and react accordingly. Also in the late '80s there was a big thing about the mercury content in Latex based paints... You can go on and on.

AlexInHelsinki · Post by **AlexInHelsinki** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:43 pm

Well, like I said in my other post, last week I hand sanded white paint off doors doors from the attic for 3 hours without any respiratory protection whatsoever before the thought of lead popped into my mind (IIIIDIOT!). Definitely a pre-70's paint job. The room is still covered in white dust.

Also, the paint in the house is all white and could well be pre-70's, too (OK so the place isn't exactly the Taj Mahal).

Might we be able to stick the landlord with the responsibility of getting the place tested?

Hank: Yeah yeah, the jokes have been flying. Har har har. If only it weren't so accurate...

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:17 am

Generally, these kind of tests are conducted by the House inspectors!! They do comprehensive tests but also charge a fee.
Lead tests are special and so requires extra fee..
Check : http://www.rakentaja.fi/index.asp?s=/Su ... asp?id=886

Here is a company that also does this :
http://www.020300200.com/yritykset/825607/Contesta+Oy/
and another pretty good company for kuntotarkastus:
http://www.raksystems.fi/content/fi/11501/194/194.html
But your best bet is to contact your building guy ( Isäntaja)

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland