Lead Testing
for Child-Occupied Facilities
(Day Cares/Early Learning Centers)

State regulations require that licensed commercial child-occupied (6 and under) facilities be certified as "lead-safe."  The main child-occupied activity and classroom areas are investigated for damaged lead paint and other sources of lead that could present a health risk (e.g. leaded window blinds and corkboards). A cursory check of “pass-through” areas (bathrooms, offices, kitchens etc.) is performed to determine that there is no substantial paint damage or other lead sources present that could be a source of concern in the adjacent areas. Paint and other surfaces are tested by an XRF gun that measures the concentration of lead, providing immediate results. In addition, surface dust samples are collected of floors and on window sills of each of the main activity rooms (and inside troughs if sash windows are present). Finally, an inspection of exterior play areas are performed (if any) to determined the presence of damaged lead paint on the exterior of the building or on playground equipment, picnic tables, shelters or other objects in the play area. In addition, areas of bare soil (including sandboxes) exceeding 9 square feet are required to be tested for lead content.  

Lead hazard control need  not be expensive and difficult! Often there are simple solutions. In this example above, a window sill contained deteriorated lead paint. The day care owner was able to take some scrap baseboard that was mounted on top of the sill with a few drywall screws and finished in with some caulk, from supplies that were left over from recent renovation work.The damaged paint on the window sill was totally enclosed and no longer a lead hazard. Total cost to the owner was $0 in materials and about one half hour of labor!

At this time,  testing drinking water for lead  remains optional (but a good idea!).

Child Care in Private Homes

While a Lead Risk Assessment is not required, don't forget about your other regulatory requirements pertaining to lead:

R 400.1932 (Rule 7) (1) (vii) If the child care home was built prior to 1978, then the caregiver shall inform the parents of each child in care and all assistant caregivers of the  potential presence of lead-based paint or lead dust hazards , unless the caregiver maintains documentation from a lead testing professional that the home is lead safe.

R 400.1932 (Rule 32)

(6) There shall be no flaking or deteriorating paint on interior and exterior surfaces, equipment, and toys accessible to children.

(7) If the child care home was built prior to 1978, then the caregiver shall inform parents of each child in care and all assistant caregivers, in writing,  prior to any remodeling, renovating or re-painting  that could potentially disturb lead-based paint or produce lead dust. 

​Due to these requirements, you may decide it is best to have the home inspected for lead paint and hazards rather than disclosing that there are unknowns and potential for lead paint or hazards.

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Testing fees are based on the number of activity or other child-occupied rooms. Gyms and large gathering spaces are treated as two rooms. An exterior play area is treated as a room. Additional travel fees may apply over 45 miles from Detroit. If you would like a quote, please send a description of your child care facility and the number of rooms with the location: 

Other Potential Child Health Hazards  Tri-Tech can also assist with identification of other potential health hazards that can affect a day care:

      •     Lead and copper in drinking water 

•  Coal-tar based parking lot sealants

•  Cadmium yellow-painted parking bumpers sometimes present in play areas

• CCA (arsenic-based) wood preservative on certain outer wood structures

Learn more about the  regulated and unregulated contaminants  potentially affecting a child care setting.

Workers performing Lead Hazard Control Work to make buildings safe for child occupancy are required to have HUD Hazard Control (or equivalent) training.  Learn more!