Some homes, especially older ones, are painted with lead-based paint. If your paint is properly managed and cared for, the lead may not cause any harm. However, if the paint deteriorates, it can lead to significant health risks, specifically for children. In this blog, we will learn why lead paint in homes is a serious concern, how to check if your home has lead paint, and what steps to take next.
Why Lead Paint in Homes is a Serious Concern
Historically, lead-based paint was commonly used to paint residential properties. People no longer use lead-based paint due to safety concerns. However, many older homes that were built prior to 1978 still have paint with lead on the walls. Since these homes are older, the paint is more likely to deteriorate, which leads to lead exposure. Even if these homes have been painted in recent years, some areas may still contain lead paint, such as the windows, doors, and hard-to-reach corners. Exposure to lead paint can lead to various health risks, which is why it is a major concern for homeowners.
Homeowners should take action to make sure their home is free of lead paint because:
- Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are common sources of lead poisoning.
- Symptoms of lead poisoning may not occur until the body has accumulated dangerous amounts of lead.
- Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure.
Health Risk of Lead Exposure
Both children and adults can experience health problems if exposed to lead.
Risks For Children
High exposure to lead in children can cause:
- Brain damage and developmental delays
- Learning disabilities and behavioral problems
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Reduced IQ and attention span
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Hearing loss
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Anemia
- Seizures
For Adults
Adults exposed to high levels of lead may experience:
- Difficulties with memory or concentration
- Kidney damage
- Headache
- Reproductive problems
- Nerve damage
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- High blood pressure
Pregnant Women
If exposed to lead, pregnant women can experience:
- Miscarriage and premature birth
- Low birth weight and growth problems
- Children whose mothers are exposed to lead during pregnancy may experience brain damage and developmental problems
- Increased risk of future health problems in the child, such as learning disabilities and behavioral issues.
Other Health Impacts
Other health impacts of lead poisoning in individuals include:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke
- Bone loss and osteoporosis
- Damage to the immune system
- Increased risk of cancer
How to Check if Your Home Has Lead Paint
There are various ways to check if your home has lead paint.
Visual Clues
You may be able to detect lead paint in your home through a visual inspection. Some visual clues include:
- Alligatoring (crinkling of paint to form a surface similar to alligator scales)
- Chalky residue
- Chipping
- Peeling or flaking paint
Testing Methods
Visual clues may not always confirm or deny the presence of lead paint in your home. For more information, you can conduct some tests, including the following:
- DIY lead test kit: You can purchase DIY lead test kits to perform lead tests in your home. The kit includes the necessary supplies and a manual for conducting the test.
- Professional lead inspection: The most reliable and cost-effective method to detect lead paint in your home is to call a professional lead inspection company. They can accurately determine the levels of lead in your home and recommend appropriate remediation.
- Lab analysis: You can also test lead paint in your home by taking a piece of dried, chipped paint to a lab. The lab results will indicate whether the paint in your home contains lead.
What to Do if Lead Paint is Found in Your Home
If you find lead paint in your home, there are certain measures you can take to ensure your safety.
Prioritize Safety & Protect Your Family
The first thing you should do is prioritize your home’s safety and protect your family. To do that, isolate the area where lead paint is exposed. If your entire home is affected by lead, you should vacant your home until the issue is resolved. The lead in paint can be spread through dust. Therefore, it’s important to control dust in your home and prevent the spread of lead.
Seek Professional Expertise
Dealing with lead paint by yourself can be dangerous and risky for your health. An EPA-certified professional painting company can help you clean up, contain, and eliminate lead from your home safely and repaint it to look as good as new.
Tips to Prevent Lead Exposure
Preventative measures to limit lead exposure involve taking safety precautions to prevent lead from entering or spreading in your home. Below are a few ways you can take safety measures to prevent lead exposure.
In Older Homes (Pre-1978)
Older homes are more likely to have lead paint, so if you are living in a home built before 1978, take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Test your home: Get your home tested for lead as soon as you move in.
- Hire certified professionals: Hire certified professionals to test for lead paint, and, if lead is found, remediate the space.
- Isolate work areas: Isolate the areas where lead is found. If lead has spread through the entire house, you should keep the house vacant until the lead issue is resolved
Book Your Lead Paint Inspection, Removal & Repainting with Boise Painting
If you know or suspect that your home has lead paint, a reliable contractor can help you test and eliminate lead from your home safely. Boise Painting offers professional and cost-effective lead paint inspection, removal, and repainting, keeping your home safe. Schedule an inspection today.
