Dangerous Effects of Lead in the Home

Many homes, especially older ones, have some lead based items in them. 

 

Whether it be paint, piping, or joints.  If you are looking to purchase or sell, or are currently living in a home that was built before 1978, you should have it inspected for lead.  It was common to use lead in such things as paint and piping before its dangerous affects were realized.

 

Lead is actually a toxic metal that can cause behavioral problems, hyperactivity, headaches, learning disabilities, seizures and even death in children, who are especially at risk for lead exposure.  Adults can also experience adverse health effects from lead such as muscle and joint pain, reproductive problems, and loss of memory and concentration.

 

Lead piping or pipe joints containing lead-solder put some homes at risk of lead contamination in the water supply.  Soil may also contain lead around homes where exterior paint is lead-based and is chipping or peeling.  Soil tracked into the home on shoes can contribute to lead dust in the air.

 

The amount of lead that can be used in paint has been federally regulated since 1978 but homes painted inside or out before then likely contain unsafe levels of lead and scraping or disturbing the paint only increases the problem by creating lead dust.