Lead Paint Testing
Lead (Pb) paint analysis for homeowners, building owners/managers, contractors, and consultants
The presence of even a small amount of lead in or around your home, building, or construction site can cause serious health risks and concerns. With fast and convenient lead (Pb) paint analysis performed by the experts at JSE Labs, you can immediately find out if a health hazard exists and reduce the risk of lead poisoning to you and your family or employees.

Reliable, Convenient Results and Analysis
Fast Results
Sometimes you need results right away. That’s why JSE Labs is pleased to offer Rush analysis for lead (Pb), as well as for asbestos and mold. This option allows you to get reliable, accurate results more quickly so you can get back to your residential or commercial project.
One-Stop Laboratory Testing
We are the only lead (Pb) in paint analysis accredited laboratory in the region that provides one-stop shopping for lead, mold, and asbestos testing. That means you can submit one sample and get it tested for multiple toxic contaminants at one convenient location. For example, you can submit a single sample of painted drywall and have it tested for both lead and asbestos at JSE Labs in one day.
Results You Can Trust
JSE Labs has successfully completed the AIHA ELLAP (Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program). With experienced analysts and state-of-the-art lab equipment, you can rely on us to provide accredited, detailed results in a timely, professional manner. We pride ourselves in delivering accurate results and friendly customer service to all our clients.
Submit a Paint Sample and Get Quick Results

Are your loved ones or employees at risk?
There’s nothing more important than the health and safety of your family or the people you work with. Any peeling, cracking, or crumbling of paint that contains lead is extremely hazardous and should be addressed immediately. In homes and buildings constructed before 1950, it is reasonable to assume that all painted surfaces contain lead. In those constructed between 1950 and 1978, lead paint is often found on the following surfaces:
- Doors and door frames
- Kitchen cabinets
- Cupboards
- Window frames and sills
- Exterior walls
- Stairs, railings, and banisters
- Porches and decks
- Fences and gates
- Gutters
High concentrations of lead can also be present in soil due to past removal/scraping of exterior paint. Lead-contaminated soil is especially dangerous when found in areas where children play outdoors or where gardening activities take place. It can also be tracked indoors on shoes or boots.
Lead Testing for Homeowners
Testing for lead can help you protect your home and family. Dust from lead-painted surfaces poses a serious health hazard, especially to small children. Lead poisoning has been known to cause damage to children’s brains and nervous systems, hinder their growth and development, and cause learning, behavioral, hearing, and speech problems.
Lead Testing for Contractors
Construction workers, remodelers, and their families are at increased risk of being exposed to lead since sanding or demolishing lead-painted surfaces can cause the inhalation of lead-contaminated dust or debris. Workers may also bring dust home on their clothes, skin, hair, tools, or equipment, causing an increased risk to them and their families.
How Does Lead Paint Testing Work?
Lead paint testing measures the amount of lead present in paint, dust, soil, and air. At JSE Labs, we make the process as simple, convenient, and efficient as possible. Here’s how it works:
- Samples are collected for testing and analysis. For lead paint testing, we need approximately 2 square inches (roughly the size of a credit card) of paint chips for analysis. For the most accurate results, it’s important that the sample includes all layers of the paint, so it’s best to scrape down to the underlying substrate (the wood of a painted window, for example). It’s best to avoid getting too much substrate material in the sample, as this can dilute your results.
- Samples are brought to our laboratory for testing. You can either mail in your sample, or drop it off at one of our Portland-area locations. All samples must be delivered in a sealed container, preferably in a ziplock bag. In addition, you must submit a completed chain of custody form.
- Samples are analyzed. Once our laboratory receives your sample, it is prepared for analysis using the EPA 3052/7000B method by digesting paint chips in nitric acid (HNO3), and feeding the solution through a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). This method can detect even very low levels of lead that can still cause concentrated exposure from activities like sanding and chipping.
- Results are sent out conveniently via email. Once our analysts generate an analysis report, it is conveniently sent to the email address listed on the chain of custody form.
Need lead paint testing?
Fill out a chain of custody form and mail in your sample or drop it off at one of our convenient Portland-area locations!
“We started using JSE Labs a few months ago for our asbestos testing. They get our results back to us accurately, and in a timely manner… being able to count on them to get us what we need keeps our jobs moving smoothly!”