Lead based paint can be a concern in houses built before 1978. Many, whose childhoods occurred during the 1940's and 1950's ask, "Why is lead paint such a concern today? We lived through it!" An important point we forget is that the lead paint we lived through was usually recently painted and in good condition. It definitely didn't look like this picture! As a result, the danger to us as children was minimal. The paint was neither chipping, peeling, or flaking . . . yet! It was intact. As with many hazardous items, the decaying process is when the real danger begins for worst exposure.
Oral consumption of lead paint or breathing in the minute particles from sanding can be very hazardous especially to unborn babies and young children. High levels of lead in children can cause:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
- Slowed growth
- Hearing problems
- Headaches
High levels of lead in adults can cause:
- Difficulties during pregnancy
- Other reproductive problems (in both men and women)
- High blood pressure
- Digestive problems
- Nerve disorders
- Memory and concentration problems
- Muscle and joint pain
Precautions can be taken to prevent lead poisoning. These include keeping the lead paint encased by keeping the surface free of peeling and chipping paint with frequent repainting; washing the peeling surface instead of sanding or scraping; not putting hands in the mouth that have contacted lead dust; not eating dirt; and not vacuuming lead paint or dust as it easily becomes air borne.
Only one house in my real estate career had a lead assessment done. It was not a surprise to discover that there were high levels of lead in the paint. What was surprising is that the house also had lead in the wood varnish and in the wallpaper! It seems lead was used in many mediums when it was popular. Galvanized water pipes were a source of lead in old homes as well. Allowing the water to run for a minute before using it is recommended when these old pipes are present. Another place that often has high lead levels is the dirt next to the curb of the street. Before unleaded gasoline was used, car exhaust would expel onto the curb soil causing high lead levels. Children would then track this dirt into the house or play in the dirt and get lead poisoning from this source.
The Environmental Protection Agency has excellent info on their website regarding lead paint and the handling of it. That website can be accessed by clicking here.
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