I don't think this is as bad as you fear. Lead hasn't been used in paint for decades,so there's no fear of that. Plants would not absorb much of anything - it's the actual paint spots you need to worry about.

Most herbs can be cut back hard and will regrow. For long-lived perennials like sage, lavender, etc, that's what I'd do. This would also work with basil, but if it really worries you, you can replant it. You could also scrape off the top inch or so of soil - again you just need to get the actual paint spots.

I've been an organic gardener for more than 30 years, and this is what I'd do.

Thanks Annebert, That is precisely what I am doing. I bought all new herbs yesterday, $32.00 worth of comfort and scraped and replaced the top 3" of soil...

I appreciate your input.