|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Lead-Based Paint Dangers

Before the hazards of lead paint were known, it was used liberally on homes and other structures. In 1978 the federal government implemented a ban on the use of this paint as the drawbacks of human contact with lead were discovered. Unfortunately, the ban on paint did not require that it be removed from structures, making it possible even now to live, study or work in a building containing lead paint. The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that in the majority of cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

  1. Dangers in Structures

    • Structures built before 1989 were not subject to laws prohibiting the use of lead paint. This means that your house, apartment, school, day care facility or place of employment could have lead in the paint. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has stated that the older your home is, the more likely it is to have lead-based paint. It is a federal law that landlords of these properties must advise prospective tenants of known hazards, and that there must be a clause in the lease or rental agreement addressing the possible hazard. Likewise, sellers of these buildings must also make disclosure of known lead hazards. When considering possible sources of danger from lead paint, remember window sills, stairs, door frames, railings, doors, fences and porches.

    Dangers in the Environment

    • Although paint is applied to buildings, the surrounding areas can become contaminated as well. The earth around a building with lead paint can have residual paint chips concentrated into the soil. Lead ingestion is especially likely to occur during structural renovations which disturb painted surfaces. It is also possible for there to be residual lead from vehicles which once used leaded gasoline. These lead remnants can be taken into the body through ingestion or inhalation.

    Dangers to Adults

    • The lead contained in lead paint is detrimental to the health of adults. Excessive exposure can be linked to high blood pressure and hypertension, nerve disorders, joint pain, reproductive problems in both sexes, muscle pain and memory and concentration problems.

    Dangers to Children

    • The possibility of coming into contact with lead is especially dangerous to children because of their tendency to place their hands and other objects into their mouths. Also, because so many of their organs and bodily systems are still forming, their brains and nervous systems are sensitive to the negative effects of lead. If it is not discovered early enough, children who have acquired high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from brain damage or damage to the nervous system. Slowed growth and behavioral and learning difficulties can also occur.

    Other Dangers

    • Lead paint can pose hazards in other possibly unexpected places. Household dust can contain lead from lead-based paint which is deteriorating around the home or from soil containing lead which is tracked inside. Older toys and furniture can pose hazards if they were colored using lead paint. Food can also become contaminated if placed in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. These containers can allow the lead in their composition to leach into food and liquids placed in them.

Public Health - Related Articles