Lead paint information for painters and paint retailers
The law limits the proportion of lead permissible in paint sold in South Australia to 0.1%. The health department can now take regulatory action and potentially prosecution if breaches are made by paint and tinter manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers.
Testing paint for lead
If your client/customer’s house was built before mid-1970s and particularly before 1940, encourage them to use one of the following methods to determine whether lead paint is present in their home:
- colour-change test kits
- lab testing
- x-ray testing
For information on each of these tests see the Testing for lead-based paint page.
Resources for painters
- Lead Alert: The six step guide to painting your home (PDF 856KB)
- A4 Poster — Be Lead Paint Aware Infographic (297KB)
- Fact sheet – Lead-based paint (PDF 1031KB)
- Fact Sheet – Lead and your health (PDF 940KB)
- Fact sheet – Reducing your lead exposure (PDF 933KB)
Resources for qualified contractors
Resources for paint retailers
- Lead Alert: The six step guide to painting your home (PDF 856KB)
- Lead paint renovation checklist for paint retailers (52KB) — a guide for conversations with customers planning to renovate/repaint older homes that may put them and their families at risk of lead exposure.
Video: Understanding Lead Paint Hazards
Video: Understanding Lead Paint Hazards - Painters Institute
Further information
- Painting your home (Australian Government)
- Laboratory testing (NATA Australia)
- Lead in house paint (Australia Government)
- Lead risk work (SafeWork SA)
- Laboratory testing (NATA Australia)
Contact us
For further information on lead and lead-based paint contact SA Health's Scientific Services:
- Email: Health.ScientificServices@sa.gov.au
- Phone: (08) 8226 7100