Is YOUR Home—Are YOUR Children—
Lead Safe?
April 2014
Understanding the Risk of Lead
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Lead poisoning remains the #1 environmental threat to
America’s children.
For most children, their exposure to lead occurs in the home.
Young children, those agesix and under, are particularlysusceptible to the effects of
lead poisoning.
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What is Lead?
• Naturally-occurring elementfound in soil, rocks, and water.
• A heavy metal.
• Used throughout humanhistory as an additive for awide variety of products.
TOXIC to humans and animals.
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Lead PAINT
For many decades, lead was added toPAINT. Lead helped paint go on more smoothly, last longer, and resist rust more effectively.
Leaded paint was used on both theinteriors and exteriors ofhomes.
Once the paint beginsto deteriorate, itbecomes a leadHAZARD.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 1977
Release # 77-096
CPSC Announces Final Ban On Lead-Containing Paint
While paint manufacturers had beengradually decreasing the amount of lead in paint, it was not
until 1978that HUD and the Consumer Product
Safety Commission successfully banned lead from house paint. That means that any home built before 1978 may contain leaded paint. The older the home, the greater the
likelihood that its paint contained lead additives.
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EPA estimates that:•87 percent of pre-1940 homes contain Pb paint•69 percent of homes built 1940-1959•24 percent of homes constructed 1960-1978Likelihood of
Lead Paint
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Lead Exposure
Humans are exposed to lead viaINGESTION and INHALATION.
As paint deteriorates, it may flake/chipor degrade to a fine dust.
Ingesting (swallowing) lead dust causes lead poisoning.
Lead dust is virtually invisible andeasily dispersed into the air. Airborne,
inhaled lead dust causes lead poisoning.
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ALL lead paint will deteriorate with time,
but some areas are especially vulnerable:
WindowsDoors
Stairs and Banisters
The effects of weathering, friction, and
human handling mean that paint degrades rapidly on these
surfaces.
Interior Lead Paint
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ExteriorLead Paint
Lead paint chips and dust are likely to settle in the soil near homes
with exterior leaded paint.
Children should avoid playing in the grass or soil in the immediate
vicinity of the house, and vegetable gardens should be
located as far from the house as possible.
EPA’sDanger Zone
Finder
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Available online at EPA’s website,the Danger Zone Finder can
help consumers recognize thelocations in their homes where lead
contamination is most likely :
http://www2.epa.gov/lead/home-danger-zone-finder
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Health Effects of Lead PoisoningChildren Adults
Neurological (brain) damage:Reduced IQ/Learning disabilities
Mental retardationHyperactivity/ADD
Disruptive/violent behavior
Anemia
Anemia High blood pressure
Hearing loss Hearing loss
Impaired growth Reproductive difficultiesMiscarriage/premature birth
Kidney damage Kidney damage
Insomnia Memory loss
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Because 90 percent of a child’s braindevelopment occurs in the first five to
six years of life, infants and young children
are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning.
Lead poisoning deters the formation of synapses (connections between
brain cells) and damages the myelin coating on
the nerves (neurons) in the brain.
Neurological Impact onInfants and
Young Children
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The majority of lead poisoned children may not
exhibit any outward symptoms of illness, or symptoms may be so
vague as to be mistaken for any number of minor
childhood maladies.For this reason, screening young children for lead poisoning is CRITICAL
in avoiding irreversible brain damage.
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Lead Screenings
Current CDC guidelines call for lead screenings at 12 and 24
months of age. Screenings are accomplished via blood from a
finger (or heel) prick.
In May 2012, the CDC revised the lead reference level, cutting in
half theblood lead level at which case
management is indicated (from the previous 10 µg/dL to 5
µg/dL).
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Other Sources
of Lead in the Home
Lead may leach into WATER if a home
contains:
a)lead plumbing. [unlikely]b)copper plumbing joined with
lead solder.c) brass fixtures or faucets.
Lead may leach into foods or liquidsif served in leaded crystal.
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Lead in Consumer
Goods
Beware of inexpensive, imported items you may bring into the
home:Ceramic (lead in paint/glaze)Plastic/Vinyl (lead used for
stability)Children’s toys and jewelry
Items recalled for lead content can be
found on the Consumer ProductSafety Commission website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov
Testing for Lead
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Professionals can test paint, householdproducts, and water for the presence of
lead.
Lead-Based Paint Inspection – Will reveal whether or not a home contains lead-based
paint, and, if so, where.
Lead Risk Assessment – Will reveal whether or not lead hazards currently exist in home’s
paint, dust, or soil.
Paint and
Product Testing
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Paint-Chip Analysis:Tests for presence of lead on walls or surfaces.
Requires removal of all paint layers, withsamples sent to laboratory for determination.
X-Ray Fluorescence:Can be used on walls, furniture, toys, or other
objects. Certified technicians can perform testing in the home with a portable unit or in their own
laboratory.Laboratory Testing:
Testing for objects only. Dissolving agent used on item’s surface to test for—and weigh—lead
content.
Water Testing
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Contact a certified laboratory for testing
of tap water. They should provideyou with sample containers and
comprehensive instructions. Followinstructions exactly, and send the
sample to the laboratory foranalysis.
Those with lead may wish to consider
a filtration system.
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Lead Poisoning PreventionStrategies
If a home was built before 1978:•Consider testing the house and property for lead.•Maintain strict cleanliness standards, wet mopping floors
and damp cleaning windowsills and other surfaceswith soap and warm water at least weekly.
•Wash children’s hands and toys thoroughly and often.•Use COLD water for drinking and cooking.•Be certain to have children tested for lead!
Renovation and
Remodeling
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Hiring a Professional:The 2010 RRP (Renovation, Repair,
and Painting) legislation demands that all professionals hired for remodeling
work in homes or child-occupied facilities constructed prior to 1978
receive training and certification in lead-safe work practices.
When hiring a contractor, be certain to verify that the firm is certified.
The Basics for
Homeowners
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Personal ProtectionDisposable clothing/protective
equipment is crucial. All items should be placed in a plastic bag and
discarded after use.
CoverallsPainter hatShoe covers
GlovesN-100 respirator
Goggles
Containment and Dust
Minimization
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Keep dust in and everyone but the worker(s) out!•Remove all furnishings.•Turn off forced-air heat or air conditioning.•Cover the door, floor or carpeting, and all duct openings with 6 mil plastic sheeting secured by tape.•Avoid dry scraping or sanding, using wet sanders and misting all surfaces.•Use only low-temperature (1,000 degree or less)
heat guns.•Score painted surfaces with a utility knife before
cutting/separating.•Pry and pull apart, rather than hammering or
pounding.
End-of-Project
CLEANING
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Careful, thorough cleaning upon projectcompletion is imperative!
•Mist all plastic sheeting and fold (dirty sideinward). Seal in sturdy plastic bags for
disposal.•Damp clean ALL surfaces, working from top to bottom.•Vacuum walls and floors with a HEPA vacuum•Mop floors.•Clean all Clean all tools before removing from the premises.
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“A man’s home is hiscastle, and where
shall a man be safe ifit be not in his own
house?”
--Edward Coke1844
Lesson Review QUIZ
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1. Lead enters a human’s bloodstream via _______________ and _______________.
2. Lead poisoning is particularly problematic for children aged six and under because it affects their ____________.
3. Children should be routinely tested for lead poisoning at 12 and _______ months of age.
4. Lead was banned for use in paint in U.S. homes in ______.
5. Identify one area of the home that is particularly vulnerable to lead paint deterioration.
6. The RRP Rule addresses ______________ work practices.
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Lead Resources
Comprehensive, downloadable bookletsavailable from the EPA at:www.epa.gov/lead
Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC)www.cdc.gov/lead
The National Lead Information Centerwww.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htm