About Lead-Based Paint
Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping, or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as properly fitted respirator (NIOSH-approved) and proper containment and cleanup.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that may cause a range of health problems, especially in young children. When lead is absorbed into the body, it can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, like the kidneys, nerves and blood.
Lead may also cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and in extreme cases, death. Some symptoms of lead poisoning may include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, tiredness and irritability. Children who are lead poisoned may show no symptoms.
Both inside and outside the home, deteriorated lead-paint mixes with household dust and soil and becomes tracked in. Children may become lead poisoned by:
-
Putting their hands or other lead-contaminated objects into their mouths,
-
Eating paint chips found in homes with peeling or flaking lead-based paint, or
-
Playing in lead-contaminated soil.
Take a moment to look at the brochure "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" for additional information.
What can you do?
If your home was built before 1978:
-
Wipe down flat surfaces, like window sills, with a damp paper towel and throw away the paper towel,
-
Mop smooth floors (using a damp mop) weekly to control dust,
-
Take off shoes when entering the house
-
Vacuum carpets and upholstery to remove dust,
-
If possible, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or a "higher efficiency" collection bag,
-
Pick up loose paint chips carefully with a paper towel and discard in the trash, then wipe the surface clean with a wet paper towel,
-
Take precautions to avoid creating lead dust when remodeling, renovating or maintaining your home,
-
Test for lead hazards by a lead professional. (Have the soil tested too).
For your child:
-
Have your child's blood lead level tested at age 1 and 2. Children from 3 to 6 years of age should have their blood tested, if they have not been tested before and:
-
They have a sibling or playmate who has or did have lead poisoning
-
They live in or regularly visit a house built before 1978 with on-going or recent renovations or remodeling
-
They live in or regularly visit a house built before 1950,
-
-
Frequently wash your child's hands and toys to reduce contact with dust,
-
Use cold tap water for drinking and cooking
-
Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon, greta, pay-loo-ah, or litargirio) and cosmetics (such as kohl or alkohl) that contain lead
-
Certain candies, such as tamarindo candy jam products from Mexico, may contain high levels of lead in the wrapper or stick. Be cautious when providing imported candies to children
-
Some tableware, particularly folk terra cotta plates and bowls from Latin America, may contain high levels of lead that can leach into food.
Prevention Tips
Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. And effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected.
The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they are harmed. There are many ways parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead. The most important is stopping children from coming into contact with lead. Lead hazards in a child’s environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely.
How are children exposed to lead?
Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the most hazardous sources of lead for U.S. children. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. However, it is the deterioration of this paint that causes a problem. Approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4 million of these dwellings are homes to one or more young children.
Who is at risk?
Children under the age of 6 years old are at risk because they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths.
Children living at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at greatest risk. Additionally, children of some racial and ethnic groups and those living in older housing are disproportionately affected by lead.
For more information, call the
National Lead Information Center at
1-800-424-LEAD (in U.S.)
or contact your local health authority.