Lead and Your Health - Part 1 Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly. Research suggests that the primary sources of lead exposure for most children are: > Deteriorating lead-based paint
> Lead contaminated dust
> Lead contaminated residential soil
Since the 1980's, EPA and its Federal partners have phased out lead in gasoline, reduced lead in drinking water, reduced lead in industrial air pollution, and banned or limited lead used in consumer products, including residential paint. States and municipalities have set up programs to identify and treat lead poisoned children and to rehabilitate deteriorated housing. Parents, too, have greatly helped to reduce lead exposures to their children by cleaning and maintaining homes, having their children's blood lead levels checked, and promoting proper nutrition. The Agency’s Lead Awareness Program continues to work to protect human health and the environment against the dangers of lead by developing regulations, conducting research, and designing educational outreach efforts and materials. Basic Lead Information
Did you know the following facts about lead?
FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.
FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
FACT: You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.
Health Effects of Lead
In the United States , about 900,000 children ages 1 to 5 have a blood-lead level above the level of concern. Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies. People can get lead in their body if they: > Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths.
> Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead.
> Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces).
Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because: > Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.
> Children's growing bodies absorb more lead.
> Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from: > Damage to the brain and nervous system
> Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
> Slowed growth
> Hearing problems
> Headaches
Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from: > Difficulties during pregnancy
> Other reproductive problems (in both men and women)
> High blood pressure
> Digestive problems
> Nerve disorders
> Memory and concentration problems
> Muscle and joint pain
Where Lead is Found
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
> Paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The Federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found:
> In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
> In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
> Inside and outside of the house.
> In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources, such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)
> Household dust. (Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.)
> Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:
>> Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
>> Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.
> The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.
> 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.
> Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset stomach.
Where Lead is Likely to be a Hazard
Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can't always see, can be serious hazards.
> Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.
> Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas include: >> Windows and window sills.
>> Doors and door frames.
>> Stairs, railings, and banisters.
>> Porches and fences.
> Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, and it is not on an impact or friction surface, like a window. It is defined by the Federal government as paint with lead levels greater than or equal to 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, or more than 0.5% by weight.
> Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it. The following two Federal standards have been set for lead hazards in dust:
>> 40 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) and higher for floors, including carpeted floors.
>> 250 µg/ft2 and higher for interior window sills.
> Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. The following two Federal standards have been set for lead hazards in residential soil:
>> 400 parts per million (ppm) and higher in play areas of bare soil.
>> 1,200 ppm (average) and higher in bare soil in the remainder of the yard.
>> Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) to find out about testing soil for lead.
What You Can do to Protect Your Family
If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family's risk: > If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
> Clean up paint chips immediately.
> Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead. REMEMBER: NEVER Mix Ammonia and Bleach products together since they can form a DANGEROUS gas!!
> Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
> Wash children's hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bed time.
> Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.
> Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
> Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
> Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead.
In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition: > You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions (called "interim controls") are not permanent solutions and will need ongoing attention.
> To permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead "abatement" contractor. Abatement (or permanent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not enough.
> Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems--someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules set by their State or the Federal government.
> Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) for help with locating certified contractors in your area and to see if financial assistance is available.
Checking Your Family and Home for Lead
Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high levels of lead. Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard. To reduce your child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have. Your Family
Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age. Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed. Blood tests are important for: > Children at ages 1 and 2.
> Children and other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead.
> Children who should be tested under your State or local health screening plan.
Your Home
You can get your home checked in one of two ways, or both: > A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in your home. It won't tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.
> A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these hazards.
Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) for a list of contacts in your area.
Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including: > Visual inspection of paint condition and location.
> A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
> Lab tests of paint samples.
> Surface dust tests. Note: Home test kits for lead are available, but studies suggest that they are not always accurate. Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.
Call your State or local EPA agency for help in locating certified professionals in your area and to see if financial assistance is available.
How to find a Qualified Lead Professional
Hiring a Lead Professional - The purpose of this section is to help you find a lead professional who can test your home for lead-based paint and tell you whether the paint poses a hazard to you or your family. It also will provide you with some background on the qualifications to look for in a lead professional. Over 80% of all housing in the U.S. built before 1978 contains some lead-based paint on the interior or exterior. If managed properly, lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard. If allowed to deteriorate, however, lead from the paint or lead dust can create serious health hazards. Similarly, without proper precautions, renovations of surfaces with lead-based paint release lead dust.
If you are buying a home or renting an apartment built before 1978 you should receive a pamphlet containing general information on lead-based paint hazards. This information is being made available under a new Federal program that started in 1996. The goals of this program are to help you reduce the hazards of lead-based paint in your home and to prevent small children from being poisoned by lead from paint. If you want to find out if your house contains lead-based paint or a lead hazard, you may want to hire someone to inspect your home for lead paint and to evaluate the paint for any hazards.
What will I learn if I hire a Lead professional?
A certified lead professional offers two services: 1) an inspection, or 2) a risk assessment. Some lead professionals may be certified or licensed to conduct both. A paint inspection will tell you the lead content of every painted surface in your home. However, an inspection won’t tell you whether the paint poses a hazard or how you should deal with it. A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what options are available for addressing these hazards. Are Lead professionals required to be certified or licensed?
Several states have developed certification or licensing programs for individuals who identify and assess lead-based paint for hazards. Contact EPA for information on obtaining a list of state certified lead-based paint inspectors, risk assessors, and contractors. EPA also is working with States to establish a national training and certification program for lead-based paint professionals. Under this program, all lead-based paint inspectors, risk assessors and contractors must be trained and certified starting in 1999.
What if my State doesn’t have a certification program?
If your State doesn’t have a certification or licensing program yet, and you need to locate a lead professional, here are some suggestions:
Hire a contractor who has been certified or licensed in a State that does have a program. If you can’t find a contractor who’s been certified or licensed by another State, hire a contractor who has been trained to conduct lead-based paint inspections or risk assessments. Look for workers whose training was based on course work developed by EPA or approved by your State. Keep in mind that in addition to States, some cities and counties may require you to use certified or licensed contractors to conduct lead work. If you are required to use a certified or licensed professional and your State doesn’t have a program, you will need to work with your county or local officials to locate a professional that meets their requirements.
Yes, there is a difference. To obtain a certification or license, most states require applicants to meet three standards. One standard requires an applicant to possess certain experience and/or skills. Second, an applicant is required to be trained to conduct specific lead-related tasks. The training an applicant receives typically must be approved by the State or an organization recognized by the State. The third and final means to ensure the competency of an applicant is a certification exam.
Individuals who have been trained, but who are uncertified might not possess work experience relevant to conducting lead-based paint activities. Nor have they passed an examination to test their proficiency. For that reason, it is especially important to check the references and credentials of uncertified contractors.
What if the Lead paint in my home poses a hazard?
You may have a range of options for addressing lead hazards in your home. A risk assessment report should contain recommendations on how to control lead-based paint hazards safely. If you have been advised to remove or control lead paint, use the advice provided by the EPA when looking for a lead abatement contractor.
Tips for Checking a Contractor’s Background and Experience: > Always ask to see a contractor’s lead-based paint license or certificate. > If they are not certified, ask to see a contractor’s training certificate. EPA has developed training courses for lead-based paint professionals. Ask if the training received by a contractor was based on EPA course materials. > Check the references of the last three lead inspections or risk assessments performed by the contractor.
> Ask what kinds of information will be included in the final inspection or risk assessment report that will be prepared for you. An inspection report should identify the lead content of the painted surfaces in your home. A risk assessment will provide you with information about the lead content of deteriorated painted surfaces, and also should tell you whether lead is present in dust and soil around your home. It should also present options for reducing the hazard. |
