Lead Paint Warning

The U.S. government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. But homes built before that year may still have lead-based paint on their walls. And that can be cause for concern, because lead from paint chips and dust can cause serious health problems.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead-based paint that's in good condition is usually not an issue. The biggest problems stem from chipped or cracked lead paint on walls, windowsills and stairs. The risk of health problems is most serious when there are children in the home. That's because babies and young children tend to put things in their mouths. (Read about "Poison Prevention") They may eat the paint chips, for example, or get lead dust on their hands and then put their hands in their mouths. Or they may pick up lead from the soil around a house that has lead-based exterior paint.

Cause for concern

According to the EPA, one of every eleven children in this country may have elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream. Lead poisoning affects virtually every system in the body, and often occurs with no distinctive symptoms. According to the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), lead can damage a child's:

• central nervous system (Read about "Nervous System")
• kidneys (Read about "Kidney Disease")
• reproductive system (Read about "Reproductive Health")

At higher levels, lead can cause coma, convulsions (Read about "Seizures"), and death. Even low levels of lead are harmful and are associated with:

• decreased intelligence
• impaired neurobehavioral development
• decreased stature and growth
• impaired hearing ability (Read about "Hearing Loss")

There is some encouraging news. Recent studies show a dramatic drop in blood lead levels from 2 decades ago. An ongoing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that in the late 70's, almost 90 percent of children under 6 years of age had elevated blood lead levels (BLL). The number of children with elevated BLL's in the late 1990's had dropped to under 10 percent. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, elevated BLL's still remain more common among low-income children, urban children, and those living in older housing.

If you suspect a lead problem, a professional inspection can determine if there is lead present and the best way to handle it. It's important to remember that removing lead-based paint improperly can actually increase the danger. That's because scraping or renovation work that disturbs a wall's surface can generate a great deal of lead dust. This dust can remain in the home for a long time and be a potential health risk to the entire family. So if lead is present, seek professional help.

The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests the following to cut the risk to you and your family for lead poisoning from paint.

• If you live in a house or an apartment built before 1978, have your child tested for elevated BLL's.
• Keep your child away from peeling paint and seek professional help to get the peeling paint removed to at least 5 feet above the floor. It's also wise to repaint to seal in the lead based paint.
• When remodeling, seal off the parts of the house that are being worked on. Cover the entry ways and the windows with heavy plastics for example.
• If you live in an older neighborhood with houses being remodeled, make sure everyone wipes their feet before they come into the house. That will help cut the chances of lead being tracked into your house.
• Wash your child's hands and face before meals.

Other sources of lead

Lead-based paint (see above) is the most common source of lead exposure, but it isn't the only one. EPA says it's essential to be aware of these other potential sources of lead:

• Water - Lead in certain types of plumbing, for example, can get into drinking water if the water has been left sitting in the pipe for several hours or more. EPA says this is even more likely to happen with hot water, so if you're unsure what type of plumbing you have, run the water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking. When using water for cooking, always start with cold water and then heat it on the stove. And consider having your water tested if you're concerned.
• Your job - If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. You should shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.
• Home furnishings - Old painted toys and furniture, food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.
• Toys - Some older toys, and even some newer ones imported from overseas, contain lead - either in the paint or in some of the parts. (Read about "Toy Safety")
• Industry - 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.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also cautions that, while many makers of candles have voluntarily removed lead from candlewicks, a small percentage of candles sold today still contains lead in their wicks. Burning such candles could emit relatively large amounts of lead into the air.

In addition, if you have lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery, CPSC advises that you avoid storing foods or beverages in these containers. Given the potential risks to both children and to adults, the time it takes to reduce your risk of lead exposure can pay off now as well as in the future.