Section 8 Housing Lead-Based Paint Certifications and Clearance Exams
 ECG conducts testing of the painted surfaces identified in the Violation Summary received by the occupant and/or landlord. When testing to determine whether lead is present, ECG uses a Niton XL-309 lead analyzer, which is operated in accordance with the Housing and Urban Development Chapter 7 guidelines.
When conducting clearance exams, ECG uses lead wipe sampling. An ECG representative uses a Ghost Wipe cloth to wipe an area approximately one square foot in size. The cloth is then analyzed for lead dust. The lead wipe sample must pass the HUD guidelines listed below: | Surface | EPA & HUD Guidelines | IDPH Guidelines | | Floors | 40 ug / ft 2 | 50 ug / ft 2 | | Window Sills | 250 ug / ft 2 | 200 ug / ft 2 | | Window Troughs | 400 ug / ft 2 | 200 ug / ft 2 |
ECG provides a written report within two weeks after the analytical testing is completed. The reports contain a table summarizing the results, similar to the table below. | Item # | Location | Horizontal Surface Wiped | Visual Assessment | Lab Test Result | | 6.6.2 | Building Exterior
Eaves | Floor – Sidewalk underneath eaves | Freshly painted, intact, and stabilized | PASS < 20 ug / ft 2 |
 The report also includes:
- Inspector information, including the Illinois Department of Public Health Lead Inspector license number and a photocopy of the inspector's license.
- Laboratory information including the laboratory name and address, the laboratory credentials, the analytical method, and photocopies of the certifications.
- Other attachments such as the laboratory data sheets, the Violation Summary, a copy of the ECG invoice stamped “paid” and a photocopy of the client's check.
The cost for a typical Section 8 clearance test is $400 plus an additional $25 for each sample collected. If the original clearance test fails the inspection, the cost of a re-test is $200 plus an additional $25 for each sample collected.
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