What is Lead?
Lead is a heavy metal. It was used in many materials and products before the risk to young children was known. Certain products such as paints used in older houses before 1978, lead solder used in plumbing, and leaded gasoline were used before their harmful health effects were recognized. Although laws now prevent lead from being used in many products, there can still be lead hazards in and around many homes. Lead can get into the air, water, food, soil, and even dust and then can be breathed or swallowed leading to serious health problems, especially for young children. |
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Lead is a toxin (poison) that can harm young children. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk because their bodies are still developing. A young child's exposure to lead can cause learning and behavioral problems and possibly damage their brains, kidneys, and other organs.
Lead enters the body when children breathe lead dust or lead fumes, or swallow something with lead in it. Young children often put things in their mouth creating a way for lead to enter the body. The main way most young children are exposed to harmful levels of lead is through contact with lead contaminated paint and dust. In nearly all cases, lead dust is either breathed in, or taken in as dust licked off surfaces or in swallowed paint chips that contain lead.
Less often, water is contaminated when it flows through lead pipes or brass fixtures, or food is contaminated by contact with lead-glazed ceramic dishes. Certain ethnic spices, foods and cosmetics also have lead. In certain jobs and hobbies, adults may work with leaded materials and can possibly expose their child to lead if proper cleaning is not done.
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What can health care providers do?
New York State Public Health Regulations require all health care providers to test all children for blood lead levels at age 1 and again at age 2. In addition, health care providers are also required to evaluate all children 6 months to 6 years of age for risk of lead exposure each year as part of routine care. Children found to be at risk for lead exposure should have a lead test. If a child has an elevated lead level, the health care provider must make certain the child has follow- up testing. Providers must also provide guidance on lead poisoning prevention, risk reduction and nutritional counseling to the parent or caregiver of children age 6 and younger.
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Where does lead come from?
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True/False Questions on Lead
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House paint no longer contains lead, so it's not a problem.
- False. Because household paint before the 1970's often contained lead, it may still pose a problem. As lead paint ages, it can chip or crumble into dust. Exposure to lead paint dust or chips can cause serious health problems, especially to children and pregnant women. So, if you live in or own an older home, you need to know how to protect yourself and others.
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You can tell by looking if paint contains lead.
- False. The only way to be sure if paint contains lead is to have it tested by a qualified professional. Home test kits are not reliable, and can't tell you whether the paint poses a risk.
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If I have lead-based paint, I can still safely remodel or renovate.
- True. Small projects that disturb old surfaces which have lead-based paint can be done safely. In fact, it is best to assume that building materials in an older home contain lead, and take proper precautions. Larger jobs should be done by trained professionals.
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Getting rid of lead paint is better than leaving it there.
- False. Lead paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard. However, if you plan to do a project which disturbs the paint in any way, it must be done carefully.
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Some methods of removing lead-based paint actually do more harm than good.
- True. Some methods, such as dry sanding, dry scraping, torching, or power sanding can create huge amounts of lead dust. Once the dust is released into the home, it can make occupants sick if it enters the body. Always use a method that creates the least amount of dust and fumes.
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Preparing to do the job is as important as the methods used to do it.
- True. It's important to take certain precautions to protect your family. Children and pregnant women should leave the work area. Remove all furnishings (even rugs, if possible) before beginning. The work area should be sealed with plastic and taped down to keep the lead dust in. Cover air vents and turn off heaters and air conditioning systems during renovation and remodeling.
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A dust mask will protect you from breathing lead dust.
- False. A dust mask is not sufficient. It is best to wear a properly fitted respirator with special lead (HEPA) filters. Coveralls, goggles and gloves are also important to wear--throw them away when the work is done, or wash them separately. Do not eat, smoke or drink in the work area.
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Besides removing lead paint, there are other ways to protect my family from lead dust.
- True. One way to prevent exposure to lead is to cover the surface with a new one, such as drywall. Another way is to use special paints called encapsulants that seal the lead paint to the surface so it won't chip off. Sometimes the best choice is to replace an item such as a window or a door containing lead paint.
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Scraping and sanding are acceptable methods for removing lead-based paint.
- True. Yes, but never without wetting down the surface as you work. Keep a spray bottle of water handy. Wet power sanding is also okay if a special lead (HEPA) filter is attached. Heat stripping can be dangerous, and should only be done by a professional. When removing paint on the outside of your home, never sand blast or power wash.
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Vacuuming with a household vacuum is the best way to clean up lead dust after a household project.
- False. Standard household or shop vacuums should not be used because they put lead dust into the air. HEPA vacuums (with special lead filters) are the best. Floors should be wet mopped with a heavy duty household cleaner such as automatic dishwashing detergent and then HEPA vacuumed. Plastic should be rolled and any construction debris wrapped in plastic. After cleaning the work area, remove coveralls and other protective clothing for disposal or separate washing.
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The only way that I can tell if someone in my family is lead poisoned is by a blood test.
- True. Sometimes there are no symptoms of lead poisoning at all, or the symptoms can be mistaken for common illnesses. A blood test is the only way to be sure about lead exposure. It's important to know if children are being exposed to lead, because then you can prevent additional exposure. All children should be tested at age 1 and again at age 2. Lead poisoning can cause fatigue, crankiness, stomachaches, kidney damage, behavior problems, reproductive problems, seizures, coma, and even death.
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There are regulations regarding lead paint.
- True. Sellers of homes, landlords and realtors are required to disclose the presence of known lead paint and lead hazards during the sale or rental of housing. Renovation and remodeling contractors are required to warn customers of the hazards of lead paint. Effective March 1, 2000, lead paint abatement firms must be certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
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Lead Inspection Process
Lead-based paint -- 1st step:
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Non-destructive testing of painted surfaces utilizing X-Ray florescence technology (XRF), to determine if there is lead-based paint present.
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The XRF device is a small hand-held instrument
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XRF Technology enables Enviro-Test inspectors to take up to 100 tests per hour.
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Verbal results are available immediately during inspection.
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Specific hazard reduction strategies will be written into the report. Hazard Reduction strategies can include paint stabilization, removal, enclosure, encapsulation and monitoring.
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Lead-based paint -- 2nd Step:
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If lead-based paint is present and is in a deteriorated state, a Risk Assessment should be performed.
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A Risk Assessment refers to sampling the household dust, soil and/or water to determine if it is contaminated with lead.
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The amount of dust samples is determined by the extent of lead found, the condition of the lead, and room usage (playroom, kitchen, and bedrooms).
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The soil is a concern if there are exterior surfaces painted with lead in close proximity to a play area
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The water is a concern if the plumbing is old or if the water has not been used for an extended period of time
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Specific recommendations will be written into the Risk Assessment report. Click Here to see Sample Data.
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