Several ways to test for lead in your home

Q Can I test paint for lead in my home? If not, where can I find a list of certified professionals?

A The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) offers information on testing your home for lead on its website.

You can be exposed to lead any time you breathe lead dust or fumes or swallow anything that contains lead. Lead poisoning can cause permanent health problems in children and adults. About 75 percent of homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. The older the home, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint.

There are three methods to test your home for lead:

Home test kits are relatively inexpensive, easy to use and produce quick results. Buy them in paint, hardware or building supply stores. They're also sold at www.leadcheck.com. But while the kits will tell you if lead is present, they won't tell you the amount.

Another option is environmental laboratories. Dan Locher of the MDH said if a home test kit detects lead, it's a good idea to collect a sample for a professional test by a certified laboratory. Certified labs are more expensive than home kits and take longer for results -- usually five to 10 business days. For a list, go to www.health.state.mn.us/lead and on the left side under "Professionals" click on "Laboratories."

The MDH also has a licensing program for lead risk assessors. The website includes a list of consulting firms that employ licensed lead risk assessors to evaluate your home for sources of lead. On the left side under "Lead" click on "Find a Contractor or Consultant" for one in your area. For more information, call the MDH at 651-201-4620.

A taxing situationQ Recently, I purchased a container of Coca Cola at Cub Foods in Edina. It was on sale, but Cub charged me sales tax on the regular price, rather than the amount paid. This strikes me as wrong. What's the rule?

A Whether the correct tax was applied depends on what type of coupon might have been used.

If a manufacturer's coupon is used, the seller is reimbursed by a third party, so the value of the coupon is a part of the selling price of the taxable item. If the customer used a manufacturer's coupon in Cub, the tax was charged correctly. (Look at the top of the coupon to see if it is labeled as a manufacturer coupon. A store coupon will typically have the store name printed somewhere on the coupon.)

If the customer used a store coupon or if the item was on sale without a coupon, the sales tax applies only to the amount actually paid, said Kit Borgman, communications director of the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

JOHN EWOLDT