Lead pain is usually found in older urban construction, but didn't stop being used until 1978 so some older homes in Columbia may have it. That said, as long as it isn't chipping, it isn't a danger. I recently was updating home insurance (my home was built in the 60's) and had to repaint a few areas to eliminate the risk of chipping lead paint.

If you buy a house or rent a place built later than 1978 (most of Columbia, and most of Howard County) then there's zero concern.

I’d say lead paint is less likely to be a concern in Columbia compared to other parts of Maryland, as many of the homes here are relatively newer compared to this historic homes which are far more common outside of Columbia. I would be more concerned about asbestos, which can be easily found in the popcorn ceilings and linoleum floors (both found in typical 70’s era homes, which are prevalent in Columbia).

Most of the homes in Columbia weren't developed when lead paint was primarily used. The oldest houses are the ones owned by the families who had the farm land, and pretty much any other development was built post 1980. Even my parents home where they were one of the first from the Dorsey's/Vollmerhausen plot lands, wasn't made until 1986.

Shoot, that’s scary, too! How would I even know if the house had asbestos?

There is a lot of Columbia developed in the late 60s and 70s.

For houses in the 60s & 70s, you’d mostly see it in 9x9 vinyl tile and the mastic (look for black) underneath it. The good news is as long as the tile and mastics are breaking up, turning into dust (“friable” is the term) then you can just encapsulated it (put something else on top).

You probably aren’t going to see asbestos insulation on pipes in this era home. You might see asbestos in siding, I don’t know if it’s common in Columbia, but we had it on a house in Havre de Grace. Again, as long as it’s not crumbling, encapsulating it with vinyl is generally considered ok.

Sometimes it can be found in popcorn ceiling. I haven’t heard of it locally, but it can be a problem.

But, you home inspector will point out anything questionable. You can have it tested if you are worried.

Thanks!

There are companies that will test for lead paint. You should do that if buying. To rent in Maryland I believe you need a lead paint certificate and you can ask to see that