The Dangers of Lead Poisoning:
With elevated blood lead levels, the effects of lead poisoning are very different. Children under the age of six are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning because their brains and central nervous system are not fully formed yet.
For children, some effects of the low blood levels include:
- reduced IQ
- learning disabilities
- attention deficit disorders
- behavioral problems
- stunted growth
- impaired hearing
- and kidney damage
And some effects of the high blood levels include:
- mentally retarded
- fall into a coma
- and even die
For adults, some effects include:
- increase blood pressure
- fertility problems
- nerve disorders
- muscle and joint pain
- irritability
- and memory or concentration problems
In pregnant women, lead can be transferred or passed to the fetus through the placenta.
Where is Lead Found and How are We Exposed?
People are exposed to lead in their own homes more frequently then anywhere else. Lead can found in painted toys, deteriorating paint, household dust, drinking water, air, soil, food and ceramics. The most commonly way people, especially children, get exposed to lead is through lead-based painted objects, such as toys, ceramics and furniture.
During renovation of a home, it is very easy to be exposed to lead-based paint when dust level are high.
Children can be exposed by putting their hands in their mouths or by chewing on toys or furniture.
What Are Some Precautions I Can Take In My Home?
If you live in a home built before 1978 you can reduce the risk of lead exposure by:
- making sure that the paint is maintained
- moisten the surface first when repainting or renovating in order to prevent dust
- contain painted debris from the work should and then safely disposed
If you have a young child in your home you can:
- eliminate lead-contaminated dust, (see recommended cleanup procedure below)
- make sure the child frequently washes his/her hands
- make sure any toys that have been lying around are cleaned
Recommended 3-bucket lead-dust cleanup procedure:
1. one bucket should contain the soapy water (a general all-purpose cleaner is adequate)
2. a second bucket, the rinse bucket, should contain clean water
3. and the third containing only clean water
4. wash an area of floor or wall with the soapy water
5. rinse the mop or throw-away rag in the rinse bucket
6. dunk the mop or throw-away rag in the clean water bucket
7. and then dip it back in the soapy water bucket before cleaning the next area
8. the most effective way to clean is to wipe vigorously
9. for walls, wipe from top to bottom
10. for horizontal surface wipe from left to right or vise-versa.
11. when cleaning has been completed, rinse using only clean water and preferably a new mop head or throw-away rag
Should you Perform a Lead Test?
If you home was built before 1978 when lead paint was banned then there is a greater chance of lead contamination in your home. If you have children under the age of 6, then it is highly recommended to test for lead. And now with the discovery of lead-contaminated toys and other imports from China, performing a lead test is important.
Are Lead Tests Expensive?
Home lead test kits are inexpensive (under $15) and are easy to use. It takes just takes a few minutes to set up but it is very important to follow the manufacturers direction for accurate results.
Can You Fix a Lead Problem?
The proper way to remove lead contamination from your home is to hire a certified lead abatement contractor. The abatement method means a permanent hazard elimination including, removing, sealing and/or enclosing the lead with special materials. You should always hire certified contractors who follow strict procedures and know how to safely remove the hazardous material and has the proper equipment to cleanup.
Conclusion and a personal note:
Lead-poisoning is a serious matter that affects the health of children and adults. There are no age, gender or racial boundaries when it comes to lead-poisoning.
My step-son was exposed to lead when he lived in an apartment in Paterson, NJ. This was a silent killer in action, each day increasing his lead blood level. No one suspected anything was happening. He was exposure from chips of lead-based paint, crawling around on the floor, touching painted window sills and then putting his hands in his mouth, typical things babies do.
A lead blood level of 10ug/dL is considered elevated, his lead blood level was over 35ug/dL. Today he is almost 4 years old and no one knows the long term effects of his lead-poisoning. As a four year old, he has difficulty understanding certain concepts and he speech is very bad, not to mention his hyperactivity. We are hoping when he enters school that there are no learning disabilities, but it is too early to tell.
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