Q: Lead paint safety?
Posted
Friday, April 04, 2008 2:43 PM
Q: What are the dangers of lead paint? How can I be sure to avoid it?
Dr. Leigh Serra:
Ingesting toxic levels of lead can cause intellectual and neurological
disabilities, developmental delays, behavioral problems, kidney disease
and anemia and in the worse case scenario even death. Kids under three
are most at risk, simply because they are more likely to put non-food
items in their mouths.
Lead was originally added to paint to
make it last longer. The highest levels of lead are in paint created
prior to World War II. Once the detrimental effects of lead were
suspected, the amount of lead in paint was reduced, first in the 1950s
and again in the 1970s in the United States.
While the top coat
of paint in your home may not contain unsafe levels of lead, your child
may still be at risk. Over time painted surfaces crumble, creating dust
that can coat the toys and other items that your child puts in her
mouth. Kids also sometimes eat flakes of pain or lick or suck on
painted surfaces. Your child is especially at risk when sanding or
stripping of older paint layers occurs during remodeling and
renovation. Another possible source are paints and glazes on items
purchased or produced in other countries. (Don't drink out of that mug
from Mexico!) and folk remedies created abroad.
You can test
your home for lead yourself (home depot sells kits) but if you are
truly concerned your best bet is to call your local Department of
Health to find official laboratories that can test and evaluate for
you. If your home is contaminated, call your pediatrician to get your
child tested and the Department of Heath to get tips on proper
abatement procedures -- in most cases your landlord is required to
eliminate the risk.
In the meantime, regular dish washing liquid
and water is great at safely removing the lead dust that might be
coating your home. If you are concerned about your child, check with
your doctor to see if her levels have been checked (in New York every
child is screened twice before age two).
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