What is the cheapest, most effective way to check for lead in paint on the walls?

Question

i live in an apartment that's kind of old, and the paint on the walls is chipping off, and i am worried that it might be lead paint. so what is the cheapest, most effective way to check?

Answer 1

EASIEST is find the date of cnstruction. Before 1975, maybe, after, no chance.  It was banned.

If inconclusive, buy a test kit at any hardware store.

Answer 2

Don't bother. There's lead in it. Make sure to "wet" scrape and "wet" sweep. Paint in the 1970s had less lead than in the 1950s but none of it's truly lead free.