What is Lead?
Lead is basic element, like carbon or oxygen, with the symbol Pb. It is a soft and malleable metal that has been commonly used many years because of its various beneficial properties1. While lead has been banned from most construction materials, paints and consumer products, it is still present in older homes that were painted prior 1960 and some homes prior to the 1978 Consumer Product Safety Commission regulation (16 Code of Federal Regulations CFR 1303). Poorly maintained paint peels from walls and chips, causing the lead to be released into the indoor environment.
What are the sources of lead in the home?
Lead was once available in a wide variety of products such as paint, water pipes, gasoline and even cosmetics. Some products today still contain lead, including batteries and some poorly regulated products such as toys and candles2. Lead can also be in the air from car exhaust or in drinking water from old pipes and plumbing1. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the most common sources of lead in the home are1:
- Lead-based paint that is chipping, peeling, or otherwise wearing out
- Dust that contains lead from other sources
- Soil containing dust that is tracked indoors
Can lead affect my health?
Lead is poisonous and has been linked to numerous different health effects. Lead is especially dangerous for young children, because they tend to put things in their mouth, including things with lead on them, their bodies absorb more lead, and their bodies are more vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning1. Lead paint also tends to have a sweet taste, making children more likely to eat it. The effects of lead can vary, and are different for adults and children1:
High doses of lead in children can cause:
- Brain and nervous system damage
- Learning disabilities
- Growth disorders
- Hearing problems and headaches
High doses of lead in adults can cause:
- Reproductive disorders
- High blood pressure
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nerve disorders
What can I do to reduce my exposure?
A number of organizations provide many approaches to deal with the presence of lead in homes2,4,5.
- Where lead paint is suspected, keep surfaces clean and dust-free by wiping with a solution of dishwasher detergent and warm water. Frequently wash anything that a child is likely to chew on (toys, crib surfaces, and so forth).
- Don't try to remove leaded paint: this can cause more problems. If it is in good condition, it is better to leave it undisturbed. If it is chipping or powdery, consult a lead-paint remediation professional.
- You can prevent lead from entering the home by wiping your feet and removing shoes before entering your home. Some soil, especially near roadways, is contaminated with lead from leaded gasoline. This has become less of a problem after the United States phase-out of lead in gasoline, but it is still a good idea to prevent children from eating soil.
- Some occupations can expose you to lead that you can bring home on your clothes. If you suspect that this might be the case, such as working in construction, with batteries, or in auto repair shops, consider changing clothes before you return home.
- Avoid burning imported candles or using imported pottery or ceramics with food.
- Consider having your child tested for lead if you live in an older home.
Where can I find more information?
There are many resources to help you identify lead and prevent poisoning. Here are just a few from a variety of US agencies:
References:
- Environmental Protectin Agency: Lead Fact Sheet, http://www.epa.gov/lead, accessed April 2008
- Lead - UCLA Labor Occupantional Safety and Health Program http://www.losh.ucla.edu/catalog/factsheets/lead_english.pdf, accessed April 2008
- Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, ToxFaqs for lead: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts13.html, accessed April 2008
- The Environmental Protection Agency provides guidance in Lead Paint Safety: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadsafetybk.pdf, accessed April 2008
- About Lead-Based Paint - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/healthyhomes/lead.cfm, accessed April 2008
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