Lead-Based Paint Testing

M.A.R.S. Environmental offers certified lead testing & inspections to identify and mitigate lead exposure.

SERVING CENTRAL & WESTERN UNITED STATES

The Long-Term Consequences
of Lead Exposure

Exposure to lead can cause devastating long-term health problems for you and your family.

The Long-Term Consequences of Lead Exposure

Exposure to lead can cause devastating long-term health problems for you and your family

Health Risks of Lead Exposure

Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that can cause serious health risks, including neurological, cardiovascular, kidney, and reproductive issues. Certain groups of people are especially vulnerable, including:

Children: Exposure can cause permanent cognitive damage, including lower IQ and behavioral problems.
Pregnant women and unborn babies: Lead moves through the placenta and can cause significant health risks for the fetus, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and brain damage.
Anyone with bone disease or bone injury: Anyone with bone disease or a broken bone can have additional lead released into the body as their body works to heal the bones.

Skipping a Post-Fire Clean-Up
in your home can lead to
devastating consequences:

The Long-Term Consequences of Lead Exposure

Exposure to lead can cause devastating long-term health problems for you and your family.

Health Risks of Lead Exposure

Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that can cause serious health risks, including neurological, cardiovascular, kidney, and reproductive issues. Certain groups of people are especially vulnerable, including:

Children: Exposure can cause permanent cognitive damage, including lower IQ and behavioral problems.
Pregnant women and unborn babies: Lead moves through the placenta and can cause significant health risks for the fetus, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and brain damage.
Anyone with bone disease or bone injury: Anyone with bone disease or a broken bone can have additional lead released into the body as their body works to heal the bones.

What M.A.R.S. Environmental Clients Say

M.A.R.S. Environmental (Formally Certified IAQ Professionals)

4.9

Based on 94 reviews

powered by Google

20:33 18 Feb 26

MARS / Jeanine is a true advocate for a homeowner. In a complex world with interests aligned against full recovery, Jeanine helped us understand what was in our home after the Eaton Fire and provided the appropriate guidance for real remediation.
She is fully committed to safety and doing things the right way. I have referred Jeanine to so many friend at this point and all of them have thanked me for the introduction.
If you are looking for a thorough and comprehensive hygienist then MARS is the choice.

10:17 13 Feb 26

If you have mold or asbestos Jeanine and her team at Mars environmental or your people, they currently came to my house and tested for radon and I have a system put in now we can sleep well at night, knowing that our levels are now controlled with the unit that they put in thanks Jeanine at Mark environmental we’re keeping us safe

00:29 12 Feb 26

MARS provided a very good experience for us. They were prompt, professional, knowledgeable, and always responsive and sympathetic to our needs. I highly recommend this company and the people who work there.

21:11 15 Dec 25

The staff was friendly and helpful from start to finish. They explained the process clearly, the technician answered all my questions on-site, and the results were provided promptly. While the results weren’t ideal, I’m glad I had the testing done and would use them again for future properties.”

A Google User

17:39 20 Nov 25

What a great company and wonderful people to be helped by. It's a family run business with knowledgeable, caring people who have information, compassion and support - they know the stress and angst that can be there with concerns of environmental issues in our homes. They are patient, kind, helpful and I feel supported knowing they are there for me should I need more help in the future. This itself feels good. I like the personal quality of their communication and business. They did testing for me and explained in detail the results so I feel clear about how to proceed. I highly recommend M.A.R.S. Good to have tested for VOC's and other items they thought needed testing. I wasn't sold unnecessary tests, I didn't feel taken advantage of, or pushed to do things that weren't necessary. All around a good and educational experience considering what it is.
Thank you Jeanine, Lindsay and Brooke. I hope it's okay to use your names! If not, tell me and I'll edit them out!

17:39 20 Nov 25

What a great company and wonderful people to be helped by. It's a family run business with knowledgeable, caring people who have information, compassion and support - they know the stress and angst that can be there with concerns of environmental issues in our homes. They are patient, kind, helpful and I feel supported knowing they are there for me should I need more help in the future. This itself feels good. I like the personal quality of their communication and business. They did testing for me and explained in detail the results so I feel clear about how to proceed. I highly recommend M.A.R.S. Good to have tested for VOC's and other items they thought needed testing. I wasn't sold unnecessary tests, I didn't feel taken advantage of, or pushed to do things that weren't necessary. All around a good and educational experience considering what it is.
Thank you Jeanine, Lindsay and Brooke. I hope it's okay to use your names! If not, tell me and I'll edit them out!

Danielle Baldaro

04:46 19 Nov 25

Thank you Jeanine and the entire MARS team. Not sure what we would have done without your guidance through this time! I appreciate the work you’re doing to keep us all safe. Thank you to your hard work, honesty, attentiveness and dedication to this work.

12:55 29 Sep 25

Jeanine, the owner, demonstrated exceptional expertise in environmental testing after the fire at my house. She provided thorough explanations of how fire and smoke impact homes and air quality, and clearly outlined the necessary steps for restoration. Her professionalism and knowledge were impressive, and I appreciated her informative approach to getting my home back to a safe and healthy state.

14:39 19 Aug 25

MARS environmental is excellent, has great communication, and is reasonably priced. They were able to replace our radon system that was not up to code before we closed on our house.

Highly recommend!

02:29 12 Aug 25

My heart goes out to anyone having to shop for post-disaster environmental testing, but I can enthusiastically recommend Jeanine and her team at M.A.R.S., especially to people dealing wildfire/WUI fire smoke damage.

Our house was in the heart of the Eaton Fire. It was left standing but smoke damaged. For four months, our insurer downplayed the health risks, offering to essentially wet wipe the walls and vacuum our bed after their own test found lead. They didn't address VOCs, SVOCs, heavy metals, though.

We knew that getting our own testing was the only way to push for a more thorough remediation. M.A.R.S came highly recommended by fire survivors in Colorado, also by local word of mouth, even by other industrial hygeniests and folks at United Policy Holders.

Jeanine fit us into one of the weekend trips she'd been doing to the Eaton Fire Scar this spring. And she tailored our tests to address our needs for our claim, and our financial limits. She asked for our prior test results so she could make sure she was only running tests we needed.

On the day, she showed up early. I was thrilled when she said we didn't need to enter the house. Also, her team wore protective gear. (For four months, everyone -- the insurance adjuster, other IH's, and others -- would enter the house casually, often with no masks or PPE, as if it were no big deal. I felt subtly peer-pressured to go in unmasked myself, to take and wash things, and now regret it.)

The results took a while, but the labs have been swamped, and M.A.R.S. was in touch. And when the results did come in, the level of detail and care with which Jeanine laid out her report was remarkable. And her explanations of results rigorously supported her recomendations. She included and referred to all the prior results. And she is up to date on current and emerging science and standards.

In many ways, the new results were bad news (the highest levels of Dioxins she'd seen in the area as well as Beryllium, which we're now learning has shown up in unprecedented levels in the Eaton Soot and Ash), but at least we are now armed with data.

I'm trying to think of constructive criticism, but I really just feel gratitude for Jeanine, Rebecca, and the whole team.

We're still going to have to fight to get the insurance to follow her recommendations so it's all still an ongoing nightmare. That said, the two moments of greatest relief I've felt since the fire were, first, when the M.A.R.S. team showed up at our house, and then later, when Jeannine sent our results. She's smart and talented, and I believe that she does this work because she genuinely cares about protecting people's health. She's a methodical hero :), a literal lifesaver!

House Six Design

01:08 30 Jul 25

Just hired MARS environmental to do a meth test for a home we have under contract. They got me setup with an appointment fast. The tester arrived on time, was friendly and explained everything. I recommend!

20:50 25 Jul 25

I loved how responsive MARS was! I filled out the "contact us" form on their website and heard back via email within 24 hours. We scheduled a same-week appointment. I was emailed an estimate and invoice. They requested a deposit of $100 on a $400 invoice which seemed completely reasonable to me.
I received appointment reminders via text and email. The tester/employee showed up on time and I received a results phone call within 24 hours. I know I'll receive the emailed results within another work day, but they were able to call and give me the peace of mind sooner rather than later.
If you're looking for a quick and professional company, I'd highly recommend MARS Environmental.

Rachel Courtney

20:50 25 Jul 25

I loved how responsive MARS was! I filled out the "contact us" form on their website and heard back via email within 24 hours. We scheduled a same-week appointment. I was emailed an estimate and invoice. They requested a deposit of $100 on a $400 invoice which seemed completely reasonable to me.
I received appointment reminders via text and email. The tester/employee showed up on time and I received a results phone call within 24 hours. I know I'll receive the emailed results within another work day, but they were able to call and give me the peace of mind sooner rather than later.
If you're looking for a quick and professional company, I'd highly recommend MARS Environmental.

13:40 18 Jul 25

Jeanine and Mars Environmental are Exceptional! They not only helped me with the scientific analysis to impress upon my insurance company to do what was right, and fair but they also held my hand throughout the process. Jeanine and her team went above and beyond to help us. We are very grateful.!

21:52 10 Jul 25

Jeanine and her team are amazing. They are very thorough and will educate you on what they are testing for, why they are testing and the steps that need to be taken after. I highly recommend MARS for all your testing needs. Very friendly, professional and trained.

05:58 24 Jun 25

They were very communicative upfront, and continue to be very responsive. They worked with our budget, doing necessary tests. They wrote an extensive report and included remediation recommendations based on the data, which is really hard to find these days. Super grateful for this team!

14:18 13 Jun 25

What a great company! My husband and I are currently under contract with a home. We had a last minute mold inspection and they were able to schedule us in the next day. Very little notice! Linzy did an amazing and thorough job! She knows what she is doing and very pleasant to work with. We are very grateful they were able to squeeze us in their busy schedule. 100% recommend!

14:52 20 May 25

22:54 06 May 25

Thanks Jeanine and Lindsey!

12:32 15 Apr 25

Jeanine was amazing to work with and offered a quick response every time we had a question. Fair pricing, quick turn around on the job and we had the best Radon Guy, Geovanni, come out to put in our new system. Thank you Jeanine for helping us keep our family safe and healthy!!!

Mary D. McGinnis

20:12 10 Apr 25

Jeanine has been the lighthouse guiding us through the tumultuous storm following the damage to our home from the Eaton Fire. Her deep knowledge and experience in fire science has helped us decide on a course of action in dealing with the damage, and provided us with a view to a way forward.

19:54 01 Apr 25

I recently paid for a meth test for a house I’m about to purchase. Jeanine was early to the appointment, professional, and worked quickly but thoroughly. I highly recommend this company for any environmental testing you need done.

19:58 20 Mar 25

Jeanine is a very hardworking individual who strives for excellence ALL the time! I really appreciate that she took the time to correct our report, even though she was busy traveling to another state for work. Her work is very thorough. I will defiantly use her again because she is the best!!!

Jonathan Greschler

17:10 19 Mar 25

These folks care and do great work. They take responsiblity for the work they do and are not satisfied until you are satisfied.

13:27 22 Feb 25

These guys are great, they explained the process, brought in a team of people to test all my projects surfaces that were required and were able to get results back within 24 hours. Customer service is on point!

20:43 14 Feb 25

Amazing service. Excellent education. I have full confidence that my concerns will be completely addressed. Highly recommend if you’re worried about your air quality!

Jessica Urdinola

20:32 30 Jan 25

Great service! The work was done efficiently and the tech explained everything. Highly recommend.

15:23 24 Jan 25

Such a fantastic company. They did radon mitigation for a property and knocked it out of the park. It was not an easy space to mitigate in, but they figured out the perfect solution. Timely and price was good as well.

19:59 10 Jan 25

Fantastic group of people. They are fast and friendly. We are an asbestos removal company and love referring them out to clients. Keep up the great work!

17:42 14 Dec 24

Certified IAQ’s process for environmental testing was an easy and straight forward process. We will use them again in the future. Thank you again Linzy and Jeanine!

Lead-Based Paint Testing Process

1

Quote & Schedule

We provide customized estimates for limited or full inspections.

2

Safe, Non-Invasive Testing

Our team uses X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers, an advanced low-radiation tool that provides on-site results without damaging paint.

3

Fast, Easy-to-Understand Results

Each report includes a clear explanation of findings and recommendations for next steps.

Additional Testing Methods

Dust Wipe Samples

Used in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-regulated inspections. Dust collected from required surfaces with a sterile wipe and placed into a sample container.

Paint Chip Sampling

Used in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-regulated testing and specific inspections. Clean utility knife used to remove all layers down to the bare substrate and sample sent to a lab for testing.

Common Lead
Exposure
Sources

Lead-based paint & floor stains ( especially in homes built before 1978)

Soil contamination (particularly near airports or high-traffic areas)

Older plumbing (especially 1960s and prior)

Imported goods (ceramics, toys, jewelry)

Occupational exposure (brought home on clothes/tools) Stoves

Lead dust (Especially during Renovation, Repair and Painting, or RRP, in older homes)

Lead-Certified Pro Tip: In older homes, pay special attention to “mouthable surfaces” (window sills, banisters, stair treads, doors), where young kids are mostly likely to chew and be exposed to lead.

Common Lead Exposure Sources

Lead-based paint & floor stains ( especially in homes built before 1978)

Soil contamination (particularly near airports or high-traffic areas)

Older plumbing (especially 1960s and prior)

Imported goods (ceramics, toys, jewelry)

Occupational exposure (brought home on clothes/tools) Stoves

Lead dust (Especially during Renovation, Repair and Painting, or RRP, in older homes)

Lead-Certified Pro Tip: In older homes, pay special attention to “mouthable surfaces” (window sills, banisters, stair treads, doors), where young kids are mostly likely to chew and be exposed to lead.

There is no safe level of lead exposure.

Our accurate and fast testing keeps you and your family safe.

Lead Safety Testing & Services

To assess the lead exposure risk in your home or commercial property, M.A.R.S. Environmental offers:

Residential & Commercial Lead-Based Paint & Surface Testing

Risk Assessments

Water Sampling

Occupational Risk Assessments

Full HUD Inspections

Real Estate Inspections

Post-Abatement Clearances

Renovation, Repair & Painting
Classes

Common Misconceptions about Lead-Based Paint

“If my paint isn’t peeling it’s not a problem.”	FALSE	Lead-based paint can quickly become a problem if it’s disturbed in any way. Small actions like opening a window or walking on lead-based stained floors can disturb the paint and expose lead.
“My child looks fine, so they aren’t affected.”	FALSE	Lead poisoning can be asymptomatic for years.
“Dusting gets rid of lead.”	FALSE	While regular dusting is important, only HEPA vacuums and special detergents can eliminate lead dust.
“Painting over lead fixes it.”	FALSE	You must use proper encapsulation methods and approved products that won’t chip and re-expose the lead down the road.
“Any contractor can handle lead paint. ”	FALSE	Only lead-safe certified professionals can legally remove lead hazards. Someone who isn’t certified can actually increase contamination.

“If my paint isn’t peeling it’s not a problem.”	FALSE	Lead-based paint can quickly become a problem if it’s disturbed in any way. Small actions like opening a window or walking on lead-based stained floors can disturb the paint and expose lead.
“My child looks fine, so they aren’t affected.”	FALSE	Lead poisoning can be asymptomatic for years.
“Dusting gets rid of lead.”	FALSE	While regular dusting is important, only HEPA vacuums and special detergents can eliminate lead dust.
“Painting over lead fixes it.”	FALSE	You must use proper encapsulation methods and approved products that won’t chip and re-expose the lead down the road.
“Any contractor can handle lead paint. ”	FALSE	Only lead-certified professionals can legally remove lead hazards. Someone who isn’t certified can actually increase contamination.

Why Choose
M.A.R.S. Environmental?

Fast, accurate, non-invasive testing that won’t ruin your home’s decor

We’re fully insured for peace of mind

Lead-safe certified inspectors with decades of combined experience

Clear, easy-to-understand reports and abatement recommendations

EPA, HUD, and CDPHE (Colorado Department of Health and Environment) compliance

Lead-Based Paint Inspector and Lead Risk Assessor Certified in Nebraska

Don’t Risk Lead Exposure - Choose Certified Professionals

Use a certified lead inspector who tests high AND low areas of your home for lead-based paint. Prior laws only required lead removal below five feet (where children were more likely to be exposed), so higher areas could still contain lead.

Certifications
and acCreditations

Certifications
and acCreditations

M.A.R.S. Environmental is certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the EPA. Our testing procedures meet or exceed all EPA, HUD, and CDPHE regulations.

Certified CDPHE Lead-Based Paint Inspectors

Lead Evaluation Firm Certificate from CDPHE

Certified CDPHE Lead-Based Paint Risk Assessor

EPA Certification

Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, & Utah Certification

Instructors for EPA Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) Certification Courses

80% of homes built before 1960 have lead-based paint.

Know your risk. Schedule a fast inspection that won’t ruin your paint.

Lead Testing FAQs

Q: How do I know if I need lead testing?

A: If your home or building was constructed before 1978, especially before 1960, there’s a high likelihood of lead-based paint. You should consider testing if:

You’re planning to renovate or remodel
There are young children or pregnant individuals present
You see chipping, peeling, or deteriorating paint
You’re planning to buy or rent an older home
Your property is near a high-risk area like an airport or major roadway

Q: What are the most common sources of lead exposure?

A: Lead-based paint in older homes and buildings is the most common source, but it can also come from drinking water, soil, imported items, and occupational exposure.

Q: Are there specific surfaces you must measure during lead inspections?

A: That depends on the inspection, but we’re always thorough and follow all state and federal regulations for our testing and remediation procedures. EPA & HUD guidelines require certain surfaces to be tested during inspection and require results to be at or below specific lead levels. These include floors (5 µg/ft²), interior windowsills (40 µg/ft²), window troughs (100 µg/ft²), exterior porches (40 µg/ft²), and exterior concrete (800 µg/ft²). Playground soil cannot exceed 400 µg/ft².

Q: Are there any buildings that are required to be inspected by law?

A: Yes, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), enacted to protect humans and the environment from toxic substances, mandates lead testing in any home that is occupied by the same child under 6 for 3+ hours/day, 6+ hours/week, or 60+ hours/year. Federal laws also require daycares be inspected and school drinking water tested.

Q: Is lead-based paint testing safe?

A: Yes. M.A.R.S. uses one of the first HUD-approved XRF tube devices, which emits minimal radiation and does not damage surfaces or release lead from damaged paint. It’s fast, safe, and effective.

Q: How Can I Reduce My Lead-Exposure Risk?

A: The most important thing you can do is get your home assessed and tested (especially if it was built before 1978) by a certified inspector. Other ways to reduce your risk include regularly dusting your home, removing shoes when you enter your home & changing your clothes if your occupation could expose you to lead, flushing your faucet before using it for food & drinks, and eating a healthy diet to reduce lead absorption.

Q: How long does an inspection take?

A: This depends on the type of testing you want done, the size and age of your home, the distance from our office, and the number of potential exposure places.

Limited inspection: About 20 minutes
Full inspection: 1–2 hours
Multi-family or OSHA-compliant inspections may take multiple days

Q: What happens after testing?

A: You’ll receive a detailed report explaining where testing occurred, who conducted it, what methods were used, and a breakdown of results. If lead is found, we’ll provide clear next steps for abatement (removal, enclosure, encapsulation, plumbing replacement, etc.) or mitigation.

Q: Do you offer guidance if lead is found?

A: Yes. We provide abatement recommendations tailored to your property. This could include removal, encapsulation, enclosure, or soil/plumbing remediation.

Q: What do I need to do before getting lead testing done in my home?

A: It’s important not to vacuum or dust before getting dust wipe sample testing. For XRF testing and paint testing, nothing needs to be done prior.

Q: Are there any special laws that require lead-based paint testing?

A: In October, 2024, the Biden-Harris administration passed stricter lead-based paint laws. This act established lead testing and removal requirements in certain facilities, including daycares, and declared that there’s no acceptable level of dust in clearance inspections.

We Offer Lead Testing In:

Colorado

Nebraska

California

Wyoming

Iowa

Our Locations

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