LEAD FACTS

Where is Lead Found?

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978.  

Here are some facts about lead and lead exposure.... 
 
Exposure to lead can harm young children and babies even before they are born.

Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. 

You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead. 

You can reduce the hazards of lead.  In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

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; or
  • 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 can absorb more lead; and 
  • children's brains and central 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;
  • behavioral and learning problems (such as hyperactivity);
  • slowed growth;
  • hearing problems; and 
  • 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; and 
  • muscle and joint pain

Where is Lead 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 and 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; and 
  • porches and fences.

Note: Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.

• Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry-scraped, dry-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.
• Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil, or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes.

Checking Your Family and Home for Lead

• Have 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. Blood tests are important for:
  • children at ages 1 to 2;
  • children and other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead; and 
  • children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan.

Your doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed.  

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 that the work is done safely, reliably and effectively. Be sure to ask your InterNACHI inspector about lead paint during your next inspection. Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:

• a vsual inspection of paint condition and location;
• a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine;
• lab tests of paint samples; and 
• 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.   

Are You Planning to Buy or Rent a Home Built Before 1978?   Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken car

• LANDLORDS have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint.
• SELLERS have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards.