According to the EPA, what type of homes has an 86% chance of containing lead-based paint?

The correct answer highlights that homes built before 1940 have a significantly high chance, specifically 86%, of containing lead-based paint. This is due to the fact that lead-based paints were commonly used in residential properties until they were banned for residential use in 1978 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Homes constructed prior to 1940, especially during the peak years of lead paint usage in the 1920s and 1930s, are more likely to have been painted with lead-containing products.

In contrast, homes built after 1978 are not likely to have lead-based paint, as it was prohibited during that time. Similarly, homes constructed between 1960 and 1978 may have a lower risk but are still more likely to be paint-free or use less lead than those built before 1940. The years between 1940 and 1959 present a transitional period where lead paint was still in use but at diminishing levels as awareness grew.