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U.S. EPA Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
Basic
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.
If you think your home might have lead
hazards, read on to learn about lead and some simple steps to protect your
family.
Health
Effects of Lead
*Childhood lead poisoning remains a major
environmental health problem in the U.S..*
*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.
Reference: U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
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