Impact of Lead
Posted on Thu, Aug 12, 2010 @ 05:51 AM
By Greg Rosinski, Chemist II
Anyone involved with household buildings prior to 1978 need to become mindful of the human health risks posed by the presence of lead. Lead was one of the primary ingredients in paint prior to 1978. Until lead became properly regulated by the EPA and other state agencies, the human health effects posed to site occupants were never considered. The following items are cautioned to contain lead:
- Paint
- Soil around the home absorbed from deteriorating paint chips.
- Household dust from walking in contaminated soil.
- Drinking water from lead soldered plumbing.
- Old painted toys and furniture.
- Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.
- Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.
- Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.
To prevent the exposure of lead, it is necessary to clean up any dust in a home, especially with families with young children. . Another method is to contact professional abatement companies that will come in, and safely remove lead paint from a home to eliminate and/or significantly decrease the exposure.
The effects on children if lead exposure is ignored include headaches, hearing problems, slowed growth, behavioral problems, and damage to the brain and nervous system. The effects on adults include reproductive problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, hypertension, and muscle and joint pain. For more information on the human health effects posed by lead as well as the corrective action measures to eliminate exposure in a residential building, please visit the EPA website (www.epa.gov).