Lead paint or
lead-based paint is
paint containing
lead. As pigment,
lead(II) chromate (
PbCrO4, "
chrome yellow"),
Lead(II,IV) oxide, (
Pb3O4, "red lead"), and
lead(II) carbonate (
PbCO3, "
white lead") are the most common forms. Lead is added to paint to speed up drying, increase durability, maintain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. It is one of the main health and
environmental hazards associated with paint. In some countries, lead continues to be added to paint intended for domestic use, whereas countries such as
the U.S. and
the U.K. have regulations prohibiting this, although lead paint may still be found in older properties painted prior to the introduction of such regulations. Although lead has been banned from household paints in the United States since 1978, paint used in road markings may still contain it. Alternatives such as water-based, lead-free traffic paint are readily available, and many states and federal agencies have changed their purchasing contracts to buy these instead.