| Lead was a component of paint prior to 1978 when it was banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for use in residences, furniture and children's toys. The EPA has estimated that some 47 million homes in the USA contain some lead paint. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates 83% of private housing and 86% of public housing built prior to 1980 contain lead based paint. Manufacturers would put as much as 20 - 50% lead (by weight) into paint to make the paint last longer and adhere to surfaces better. Lead based paint has been used on everything from interior to exteriors of homes, furniture, toys and many other surfaces. Lead has also been used in plumbing fixtures, pipes and pipe soldering which can leach into water that flows through pipes. In 1996 & 1998, the U.S. Congress restricted the use of lead in pipes, solder and other components used in drinking water systems.
It is important to determine if lead paint exists in your home and where it is located. With this information you can determine what steps are necessary to reduce your exposure to this environmental pollutant. The greatest exposures will come from improperly removing lead based paint from surfaces through scraping, open-flame burning and sanding which will produce high concentrations of airborne lead dust. Lead particles can be tracked into the home by stepping on lead contaminated soil from the degradation of exterior lead based paint. If you have children in a home with peeling and chipping paint, or painted surfaces such as window sashes that wear down, it is important to know if lead is present in the paint to prevent ingestion and inhalation of lead dust.
Lead poisoning through ingestion or inhalation can cause severe health effects including damage to the liver, kidneys, brain, nerves, bones and blood. Children are especially at high-risk because they routinely ingest non-food items contaminated with lead. Toxic levels of lead can cause permanent learning disabilities, retardation and even brain damage in young children. Documentation reveals that serious behavioral problems and learning disabilities are seven times more likely to occur in children exposed to low-levels of lead over an extended period of time (New England Journal of Medicine- Jan. 11, 1990). More recent studies indicate that there is no threshold for the toxic effects of lead. (New England Journal of Medicine April 17, 2003) In adults, lead poisoning can cause high blood pressure and reproductive problems. In pregnant women, the fetus is particularly vulnerable to lead's toxic effects.
Lead interferes with some of the body's basic functions. The body can not differentiate between lead and calcium and can be absorbed into the bones where it can collect for a lifetime. Children are especially vulnerable because of their rapidly developing bodies and their tendency to put non-food items in their mouth. Even low lead exposure can permanently affect children and cause:
- Nervous system and kidney damage.
- Learning disabilities, attention disorder and decreased intelligence.
- Poor muscle coordination.
- Hearing damage.
- Decreased muscle and bone growth.
- Speech, language and behavior problems
Lead can be dangerous for adults also. In adults, high lead levels can cause:
- Pregnancy problems including illness, harm to fetus and fertility problems.
- High blood pressure.
- Digestive problems.
- Nerve disorders.
- Muscle and joint pain.
- Memory and concentration problems.
Exposure to lead can come from many sources:
Lead Dust and Paint Chips from Painted Woodwork, Walls, Furniture and Toys - Breathing or swallowing of lead dust and paint chips formed from the disturbance and decomposition of lead painted materials. Particles of lead can be removed from painted surfaces during opening/closing windows and doors painted with lead based paint and scraping, sanding or anyplace where abrasion occurs with lead based paint. Peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking lead-based paint need immediate attention. Although lead paint was banned in 1978, supply of this type paint was available into the early 1980's.
Water - Water can be a source of lead leaching from lead piping in water distribution lines, lead solder used to join water pipes and plumbing fixtures that use brass with lead content.
Soil - Soil can pick up lead from exterior paints and particles that are deposited from airborne sources such as industrial plants and smelters. Lead was a major component of gasoline until reduced in 1978 by the U.S. EPA and lead particles were a part of vehicle emissions.
Miscellaneous - Porcelain tubs, Dishware and Mini-Blinds. For over 100 years, lead has been added to porcelain enameling material. Both new and old fixtures may leach the lead; however, older bathtubs that have repeatedly been cleaned with abrasive cleansers leach the highest amounts of lead. Ceramic glazes and pottery may have lead content. FDA set limits for lead in pottery in the U.S. in 1969, but may foreign countries may still be using lead as a component of their products. Many vinyl mini-blinds made in China, Indonesia, Mexico and Taiwan contained high concentrations of lead. Lead used to stabilize the vinyl becomes a dust on the surface, especially when exposed to heat and the sun. New vinyl mini-blind products on the market are available without lead. |
