Home Hazards: Exploring the Dangers of Lead Paint
Lead is a potentially toxic and dangerous metal. It can severely impact the entire family's health, especially younger children, pregnant women, and pets. Lead was a commonly used component in interior and exterior paints. Then in 1978, the federal government banned the residential use of lead paints due to the associated health risks. However, some form of lead is still present under the layers of newer paint in millions of American homes built before 1978.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 87% of homes built pre-1940 might contain lead-based paint. The percentage drops to 69% and 24% for homes built between 1940-1959 and 1960-1977, respectively. Lead paint, in any quantity, poses a significant danger to people inhabiting a home.
Health risks of lead paint
Lead paint does not pose any threat while it is in good shape. When the lead-based paint deteriorates or peels and cracks, it produces paint chips and dust that accumulate on different home surfaces and present a hazard demanding immediate attention. Children are at an increased risk of lead poisoning if they inhale lead dust or eat or chew on lead-based paint-covered surfaces.
Lead poisoning in adults can lead to:
Headaches
Joint and muscle pain
High blood pressure levels
Nerve disorders
Reproductive problems
Memory loss
Lack of concentration
Anemia
Kidney damage
Hearing and vision problems
Young children's brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable to lead exposure. Children can also experience hyperactivity, behavioral issues, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, learning disorders, reduced IQ, slowed growth, bone marrow problems, and hearing problems.
Even unborn babies are at risk of premature birth, brain and nerve damage, and low birth weight if the mother passes it on to her fetus.
How to find out if a home has lead paint
Older houses have an increased possibility of the presence of lead-based paint. There are a few ways to determine if there is lead paint somewhere. Homeowners should use one of the following methods to test a house for lead before renovating, renting, or selling it:
Get a DIY at-home lead testing kit to test every painted home structure.
Collect a paint chip and send it for testing to a laboratory.
Call a professionally certified lead inspector for lead-based inspection. They provide a report stating which painted surface has the hazardous metal.
Pay for a risk assessment by a certified lead risk assessor.
If the tests confirm the lead presence, but the paint is not peeling or chipping, take the following safety precautions:
Regularly wash children's hands and objects like bottles, toys, and pacifiers
Maintain proper home cleanliness and hygiene, including floors and woodwork
Stop children from playing with paint or eating it
Get professional and safe lead paint removal
It is vital to get rid of lead paint from the home to avoid exposure. The best way to do so is to hire a professional painting service for your painting project or to replace surfaces like windows, doors, and drywall covered with lead paint. Painters can seal off the area entirely while they perform the job. Please do not forget to disconnect your HVAC ductwork to prevent lead dust from spreading throughout your home.
We invite you to contact a local painter to learn more about lead paint hazards and the removal options.
Absolute A Painting Company is a full-service, custom painting service company in Norfolk, Virginia, offering creative and innovative solutions for your business. For fourteen years, we have delivered quality work with customer service and satisfaction is our top priority. Absolute A Painting Company is dedicated to excellent craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. We serve Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Hampton Roads, Portsmouth, and surrounding cities. Call us today at (757)260-3556.
