Van Rossum

Dianne Van Rossum put the hand-held, box-like X-ray device against the dingy, brown hallway wall. The gamma rays penetrated into the paint, found lead and bounced back to the X-RF lead paint analyzer.The machine read: .8 milligrams per square centimeter. Ms. Van Rossum took two more readings. She pushed down on the handle of the box and waited for the beep. "One point zero," she said aloud.The paint in this house will probably have to be removed, or covered, before anyone can move in.Ms. Van Rossum is a health inspector with the Baltimore County Bureau of Regional Community Services.