Glossary · Health & indoor air
Lead paint
Also called: lead-based paint · lead-safe · lead-safe work practices · RRP rule
Paint containing lead, common in older homes; sanding, scraping or removing it creates toxic dust that's especially harmful to young children.
What it means
In Canada, homes built before 1960 probably contain lead paint and those from 1960 to 1990 may have it on exterior surfaces. Intact paint out of children's reach is often safer left alone; work that disturbs it, including window replacement, needs lead-safe methods.
Why it matters in an audit
Window and door replacement and other energy upgrades can disturb old paint, so contractors need to plan for it.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Health Canada) | Before 1960: probably contains lead paint; 1960–1990: exterior paint may; after 1990: virtually lead-free | canada.ca ↗ |
In Canada
Health Canada says there's no known safe level of lead exposure and advises against sanders, heat guns and torches on lead paint.