I've had a first experience in real estate.  I'm three years into the business, but my friend who has 10 years has never had a client do one either.  A lead-based paint test.

The engineer in me was fascinated.  The gentleman who did the tesitng has to, of course, have licenses and be approved for the work.  He has this science-fiction looking gun that he points at EVERYTHING in the house.  He said it was a $12,000 device that had to be re-calibrated often, etc.  Then he prints out every reading in the house.  He touched every different kind of surface in the house - trim, windows, gutters, drywall, tile, etc. etc.

The outcome:  Tile and tubs in the 1970s ranch (the kind I grew up in) have lead to make those pretty avocado, pink, gold and blue colors.  Its like the glazes on pottery that we are warned are "not for food consumption." 

The other outcome I found fascinating:  Many of the cheap, made in China, metal window blinds have lead in them!!!!  And the newer faux, plastic-type blinds can have lead in them as well.   Apparently, China has different manufacturing standards than the US.

The only other lead he found was in the "leaded glass entry door" (thus the name!), and in the lead sodder of the gutters.

I'll never look at the lead-based paint disclosure the same again!