Lead Contamination - EPA - Solution- Resource Area

Lead Contamination -
How Big a Problem Is It?

Any structure built before 1978 may contain materials that contain lead. It is mostly found in interior and exterior paint as well as potable water system. It may be many layers deep under the existing paint that you see on the house and as such it is "encapsulated" for the time being. It may not remain that way. Many new homeowners feel the need to personalize or customize the home to their liking. This often involves remodeling or repainting to some degree. This is where the hazard begins. Remodeling can disturb and expose the old lead paint that has been covered up until this time.

"Anything you do that creates a fine debris, like sanding or scraping, can dramatically increase the levels of lead in a home," says Helen Binns, professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Lead, lead, everywhere

Highly toxic lead-based paint was banned in 1978 but remains in about 24 million housing units, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The agency estimates that more than 300,000 children nationwide have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Most cases can be traced to unsafe home renovations and remodeling.

"Children between ages one and three are at the greatest risk [of lead poisoning] because of normal hand-to-mouth activity and the increase in mobility during their second and third years, which make lead hazards more accessible to them."

President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children [2000]

"Despite progress, lead poisoning remains one of the top childhood environmental health problems today. Without further action, over the coming decades large numbers of young children may be exposed to lead in amounts that could impair their ability to learn and to reach their full potential."

— President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children [2000]

According to the EPA, consequences of lead exposure include: nervous system and kidney damage; poor muscle coordination; learning disabilities; attention deficit disorder; and speech, language and behavior problems. Immediate symptoms, however, are rare — meaning lead poisoning often goes unrecognized.

What is the Solution?

First, get educated. See the "Resource" area for links to information about lead.

To summarize:

Lead is present in over 24 million homes in the United States.

Usually found in older homes built before 1978

It is a significant health hazard, mostly to children
but adults can suffer ill effects as well.

It CAN be handled.

You can, and should, voice your opinion to your elected leaders about this issue.

Left to their own devices, the politicians will drag their feet on pressuring the EPA and other agencies to develop, and encourage compliance with, effective regulations.

By Dana Bostick

http://www.PrivateInspect.com

http://InspectorDana.blogtocash.net

An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality http://www.epa.gov/iaq/lead.html

Consumer Fact Sheet: Lead http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/c-ioc/lead.html

EPA Article "Lead Compounds" http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/lead.html