If your home or building on Vancouver Island was constructed before the late 1980s, there’s a strong chance it contains lead-based materials—commonly found in old paint, plumbing systems, pipes, and solder. When disturbed during renovation or demolition, lead can pose serious health risks and contaminate surrounding environments.
To meet WorkSafeBC and federal hazardous materials regulations, all lead-containing materials (LCMs) must be appropriately identified and assessed before construction, renovation, or demolition work begins.
We provide certified lead testing and TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) analysis across Vancouver Island, including Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, and surrounding areas. Our testing covers:
🎨 Paints & Coatings
🧪 Toxicity Leachability
🌫️ Dust & Air
Lead Testing Turnaround Times (TAT)
We offer flexible turnaround times based on your project’s needs:
🎨 Paints & Coatings (Lead in Paint Chips)
⏳Next-Day Service (24-Hour)
⚡48-Hour Service
📆Standard Service (5-7 Days)
🕰️Extended Service (7-10 Days)
🧪Leachability (TCLP)
⚡Priority Service (48-Hour)
📆Standard Service (5-7 Days)
🕰️Extended Service (7-10 Days)
🌫️Dust & Air (Lead in Air Samples)
⏳Next-Day Service (24-Hour)
⚡32-Hour Service
📆Standard Service (5-7 Days)
🕰️Extended Service (7-10 Days)
🌱 Soil & Sediment
⏳ Next-Day Service (24-Hour)
⚡ 48-Hour Service
📆 Standard Service (5-7 Days)
🕰️Extended Service (7-10 Days)
🚰 Water & Plumbing
⏳ Next-Day Service (24-Hour)
⚡ 48-Hour Service
📆 Standard Service (5-7 Days)
🕰️Extended Service (7-10 Days)
🚨 Turnaround times may vary based on sample volume and specific requirements. All reports include WorkSafeBC-compliant documentation and risk assessments.
Don’t wait for a minor issue to become a significant liability. Our team is here to provide certified lead testing you can trust—whether you’re in a home, business, or public facility.
Breathe easier—with confidence, clarity, and compliance.
With offices in Victoria and Nanaimo, Phase Environmental proudly serves communities across the Island, including:
What is Lead?
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal widely used for its durability, malleability, and resistance to corrosion. These properties made lead a common ingredient in paint, plumbing, pipes, solder, and other building materials—especially in homes and structures built before the late 1980s. While once valued in construction and manufacturing, lead is now strictly regulated due to its toxicity and long-term health effects.
Health Risks Associated with Lead Exposure
Lead exposure poses serious health risks, especially for young children, pregnant women, and workers in older buildings. When lead-based materials—such as paint, pipes, or dust—are disturbed, toxic lead particles can be inhaled or ingested, entering the bloodstream and accumulating in the body over time. This can lead to a range of acute and chronic health conditions, including:
Even low levels of lead exposure can be harmful, and symptoms often appear only after significant damage.
Lead Paint in Vancouver Island Homes
Vancouver Island has various older homes, character properties, and heritage buildings—particularly in cities like Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, and Campbell River. While these structures add charm and historical value to the island’s communities, many were built before 1992, when lead-based paint was still widely used in residential construction.
Lead was once a standard ingredient in residential paints because of its strength, moisture resistance, and long-lasting finish. On Vancouver Island, older homes often contain lead-based paint on walls, ceilings, doors, window frames, trim, and exterior surfaces such as siding or railings.
Over the years, layers of paint may have been added, but the original lead-containing layers can remain underneath. When sanding, cutting, stripping, or demolishing these painted surfaces, lead dust and paint fragments can be released into the surrounding area, triggering cleanup requirements and regulatory implications.
Vancouver Island falls under the jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC, which requires that all lead-containing materials (LCMs) be identified and adequately managed before any renovation, demolition, or construction work begins.
In some cases, TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) testing may also be required, mainly if materials are disposed of as part of a more extensive renovation or demolition.
Whether you're a homeowner or a contractor, you are responsible for assessing and addressing lead risks before work begins. Professional lead testing is the only way to confirm whether lead paint is present.
Why Lead Testing is Important
Testing is the only way to confirm the presence of lead and ensure safe handling and disposal.
Lead testing is included in a hazardous materials assessment, which is required for permit applications and contractor safety planning.
Our certified inspectors follow strict safety protocols to collect and analyze samples using industry-approved methods, including TCLP and laboratory-based lead analysis. We accurately determine lead content and concentration and deliver detailed reports that meet WorkSafeBC compliance requirements.
Improper handling or disposal of lead—and failure to follow safety regulations—can result in:
⏳ Project Delays and Shutdowns
Unidentified lead paint can halt construction and require additional inspections or remediation before work resumes.
⚖️ Legal Penalties and Compliance Issues
Failing to comply with WorkSafeBC regulations can result in fines, permit denials, and potential liability.
💸 Costly Cleanup and Disposal Requirements
Improper handling of lead-containing materials often leads to expensive cleanup, disposal fees, and specialist involvement.
Regulations and Bans in Canada
Canada banned lead-based paint in residential use in 1992. Before that, lead was widely used in paint, plumbing, and construction materials. Federal and provincial regulations, including WorkSafeBC, require the proper testing and handling of lead-containing materials (LCMs) before any renovation, demolition, and disposal of painted building materials.
Protective Measures and Recommendations
· For Homeowners and Renovators: Schedule professional lead testing before disturbing any painted surfaces or plumbing if you plan renovations or demolitions on a property. Lead-based paint and materials are standard in older Vancouver Island homes, and improper handling can release hazardous lead dust into your living space.
· For Contractors and Construction Professionals: Individuals working with lead-containing material must receive WorkSafeBC-certified training on asbestos awareness and removal practices and adhere to safety protocols, including personal protective equipment (PPE).
· For the General Public: Many older homes and buildings across Vancouver Island still contain lead paint or lead-based plumbing. Avoid sanding, scraping, or disturbing these materials without proper testing. Always consult certified lead abatement professionals for inspection, testing, and safe remediation.
Partner with Phase Environmental for Expert Soil Testing
With offices in Victoria and Nanaimo, Phase Environmental proudly serves communities across the Island, including: