Deciding to renovate your home is an exciting process that involves among many other aspects, a fresh coat of paint. But, before you start peeling away at the old coats, read here what Jon Nelson of Precision Environmental in California has to say about the dangers of lead paint.
If your home contains lead surfaces, you could unknowingly be putting your family at risk.
Where can you find lead? According to Nelson, lead can be found on painted surfaces and some products and household items that have a ceramic lead glaze such as tiles, porcelain toilets and tubs. Lead paints can also be found on exterior and interior surfaces around windows and doors.
How does lead affect us today? Typically, you should be the most cautious if your home was built earlier then 1970. Even though paints now are lead-free, Nelson warns that if your house or garage has not been painted in a long time you should be leery. For instances, he says, if your home was built in 1960 and has been remodeled since, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all of the original lead was removed. Breathing in fibers while you are sanding a surface that was previously painted with lead paint could cause the levels of lead in your body to rise. Additionally, a lot of health problems have occurred because children were peeling paint chips and eating them.
In adults, lead exposure is not terribly detrimental, says Nelson, because our brains are fully developed. You may experience gastrointestinal problems, but the effects are much more serious in children. If you’re going to do any sanding in your home, get the surfaces tested first. There are businesses that specifically cater to testing for lead that are not affiliated with removal companies. It won’t take long and it could keep your family safe.
What is lead’s affect on children? In unborn children and small children, the dangers associated with overexposure to lead can be harmful in developmental stages, says Nelson. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), lead toxicity can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and, at very high levels, seizures, coma, and even death. Sometimes, children don’t show any signs of lead poisoning, but some symptoms you should be on the lookout for include:
- fatigue
- headaches
- stomachaches and cramps
- behavioral and learning problems
- hearing problems
How should led be removed? While lead removal is important, Nelson says it really depends on the preference of the homeowner and the state laws. In some states, such as California where Precision Environmental is based, Nelson says that most homeowners who are repainting or renovating their home need to have the walls and surfaces properly prepared for a fresh coat of paint without having to worry about exposing their family to lead particles. In the past, Nelson says that there were not strict regulations as to who could remove lead paint. Now however, California law mandates that any company, such as Precision Environmental, who specializes in lead removal must be properly licensed to ensure that the job is done correctly.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
