Lead

Houses built before 1978 have the possibility of containing lead-based paint. The EPA recommends that you should have your house inspected for lead paint if it was built before 1978, because the health risks are too great to ignore. A million kids are affected by lead paint poisoning with some level of irreversible damage, such as lower intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioral issues. It’s not just lead paint chips that poison. Contamination can be caused by only a little bit of lead dust that is easily absorbed by anyone who inhales or ingests it. Adults exposed to lead paint can suffer from high blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, diminished motor skills, fatigue and memory loss. Even small levels of exposure to lead paint can harm adults. Recent research shows that new cases can be directly linked to renovations where the work environment was inadequately contained. New cases of childhood lead paint poisoning are diagnosed every year. Many more could go unreported. Many contractors and maintenance workers who have been on the job for years believe they know all about the dangers of and the precautions necessary for working with lead paint. Others think lead paint poisoning simply went away years ago. It didn’t. 

Here are some websites to learn more about the dangers of lead:

• Learn About Lead - EPA
• The Truth About Lead Paint Poisoning - EPA
• Health Affects of Lead - EPA