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Lead Paint Poisoning – A Chronic Health Issue

Many children have suffered lead poisoning. Find out the symptoms and complications and how you can go about getting compensation if your child has suffered lead paint poisoning.

Despite implementation of regulatory preventative measures, lead poisoning remains a chronic health issue, particularly for children. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 310,000 children have elevated lead levels. The US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Agency approximates one in 6 children has a high lead level in their blood.

Children are vulnerable to lead poisoning as their absorption rate is much higher than adults. Gastrointestinal absorption in children is 40 to 50 percent, versus 3 to 10 percent in adults.

Chronic lead paint poisoning is cumulative over a long period of time. Toxic concentration may occur after many years of a minimal degree of exposure to lead paint. Chronic lead poisoning is the most common form. Acute lead poisoning infrequently occurs due to the large amount of lead intake required over a relatively short period of time.

Lead paint was banned in 1978 after scientists discovered its harmful effects. However, low income children still tend to have higher susceptibility to lead paint poisoning. They typically reside in older homes or buildings that pre-date the prohibition of lead paint and whose building owners may not have deleaded their properties. Federal law requires states lead paint hazards known by sellers, landlords and realtors must be disclosed.

However, it is not necessary for children to live in a building containing lead paint to suffer poisoning. Regularly visiting a home which has lead paint or is in the process of being remodeled or deleaded poses a risk.

Lead paint becomes brittle over time and deteriorates. This disintegration produces lead dust, particularly around windowsills and door frames where friction is caused by the opening and closing of windows and doors. The dust settles on surfaces children come in contact with, such as floors and toys, and is transferred to their mouths by hands and toys.

Another factor in lead paint poisoning is chipping or peeling. A child who eats a chip the size of a thumbnail will have ingested enough lead to be life endangering.

Children suffering from lead paint poisoning may exhibit any of the following symptoms:

* Anemia
* Learning disabilities
* Hyperactivity
* Mental retardation
* Kidney malfunction
* Hearing Loss
* Headaches

Infants in utero exposed to lead may have the additional concerns of:

* Low birth weight
* Low gestational age
* Growth retardation
* Delayed sexual maturation in females.

A blood test is the only conclusive method to diagnose lead poisoning. For children at risk from lead paint poisoning, it is recommended blood tests be performed at six months of age. All other children should be tested at one and two years old. Testing is vital as the child may not demonstrate any symptoms of lead poisoning.

Some states have mandatory lead poisoning blood tests for children. The ages of testing may vary according to the state.

Lead Paint Is Very Toxic To The Human Body

Lead paint is a toxic substance that can cause serious illnesses and other problems in adults and children. Before the 80′s, it was not known that lead based paint caused health problems, so it was used then. However, now everyone knows how toxic it is, and it is no longer in use. However, when it was in use, it was responsible for many illnesses and even deaths in individuals, especially young children.

One of the ways that the presence of lead paint is discovered in children is through their elevated blood levels. When high blood levels are detected in children, their homes are usually tested for lead based paint.

If the toxic paint is found in the home, then the children must be removed to a safe location until the toxic paint is gone. If you are not sure if your house is safe from toxic paint, then it is best to get it tested.

There are licensed lead inspectors or risk assessors that can help you determine if your house is safe, and what you need to do if it is not. In many cases, the lead inspector can also search your home for asbestos fibers in your home, which is another highly toxic and environmentally unsafe substance to have in your home.

If you are not familiar with asbestos, then you should know that it was used in older homes as a way to prevent fires and other home disasters, since it is flame resistant and does not conduct electricity. Unfortunately, it was later found to be highly toxic to the human body, causing cancer, asbestosis and other such issues. Many lead based paint specialists can also deal with an asbestos problem.

The main indicator that determines lead exposure is through elevated blood levels in the body. If a doctor detects a high blood level in a child, then he will probably suggest a lead paint test for the child’s home. If lead based paint is found, then the children must be removed from the premises until all the lead is removed.

If you think that you might have paint that contains lead in your home, then testing is a good idea. A licensed risk assessor can help determine if your house is safe from the toxic presence of lead. A risk assessor can also help determine if there are other toxic materials in your home as well, such as asbestos fibers.

Asbestos was used in older homes to reduce the risk of fire, as asbestos is flame retardant, and resists electricity. Later it was found that asbestos causes mesothelioma cancer and was discontinued from use.

Lead paint is a very toxic substance to the body. It causes serious illnesses, especially in children. Therefore, it is impossible to be too careful when dealing with lead based paint.

If you feel your house might be at risk, then you can call a risk assessor to test your indoor air quality to see if your home environment is safe. If not, he or she can tell you what you should do to eliminate the substance.

Stop Lead Paint Poisoning Documentary

A short documentary made to inform and warn the people about the dangers of lead paint poisoning. Filmed in Maryland.

Lead Paint Abatment in Washington DC

Finding the right Washington DC lead paint abatement contractor doesn’t have to be a pain. In this post will explain what abatement is and how to best deal with it.

To start with, what precisely is lead paint abatement?

Abatement is the method of removing or reducing the quantity of lead paint in a structure or home. If you believe that your home has lead paint, you should have it tested right away. This paint has been proven dangerous to adults and to particularly dangerous to kids. If the tests come back positive, you’ll want to have the paint removed as quickly as possible . However [*COMMA] this isn’t a job for a weekend warrior or an amateur. If lead paint abatement is done improperly, the hazards may very well be increased. It is always best to contact a trained pro and have them do the work for you.

Lead paint was deemed dangerous to the health and was officially banned in 1978, but many old homes and structures still have this paint on the walls, windows, and doors.
Before any work can begin, you should contact your local health office for local regulations regarding Washington DC lead paint abatement.

Even though abatement can be quite dear, there are government programs that help qualified householders cover the expenses of the work. Check with your state or town to work out if programs are offered in your area and what’s needed to qualify for them.

Before Work begins

*Have all house members, particularly youngsters, checked for lead poisoning.
*Move the kids and pregnant girls to another location until all of the work is finished.

*Post warning signs at all entrances so that neighbors know what kind of work is being done.

*Use plastic drop cloths to cover all floors.
*Make certain that nobody enters the work area without proper protective gear.

Once you have made your call, your lead paint abatement professional will explain the method to you. The key for any expert is to select the method of abatement that may create the least amount dust. Many house owners basically select to have some interior reworking done at the same time, but this can wait until all of the paint is gone.

Common Lead abatement strategies
Paint Removal

While it could be the handiest way to remove lead paint, it can also create a fair deal of lead dust, fumes, and dangerous mists. The contractor must first determine just how much lead paint is in the home.

Enclosure
It is composed of simply covering the wall with gypsum board. But the enclosure methodology only works on massive, flat surfaces ; and, while it’s the most cost-effective, it may affect the second-hand value of the home.

Replacement
It is commonly used on windows and doors.

Encapsulation

This is the least expensive strategy of abatement. It is composed of simply covering lead paint with a special coating.
In the end, if you have lead paint in your home, it needs your immediate attention. So check with health dept concerning Washington DC lead paint abatement. As we mentioned, they even give you with a listing of certified lead abatement contractors. Select one which has a good reputation and can quote you a fair cost.

New Lead Paint Law Coming in April 2010

Image via Wikipedia

 

Starting in April 2010, federal law will require that contractors be trained to protect pregnant women and children from high levels of lead. Signed into law in March of this 2008, the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program is the most important new effort to fight childhood lead poisoning in a decade the EPA  says.

The law requires contractors and maintenance personnel to be certified, and their employees trained. Also they must follow protective lead-safe work procedures when renovating, repairing or painting activities will disturb more than 6 sq ft of lead paint in a room or where twenty sq ft of lead paint  is disrupted on the outside.

Workers are required to hang warning signs, to keep occupants from work areas, prevent dust & debris from escaping, cleanup thoroughly and verify that the cleanup was performed correctly.
Two out of every three homes and fifty percent of the day care centers and schools built prior to the 60’s have some lead paint. These new regulations are for those constructed prior to 1978, the year the lead paint ban went into effect, where kids under the 6 reside or where pregnant women live.

Exposure to lead-based dust is the most likely way kids get lead poisoning, “which can cause serious behavior and learning problems in children and health problems in adults” says the EPA.
By requiring certification, we will be able to identify those contractors who are trained in lead-safe work practices. 

This will no doubt ably raise the cost of home remodeling due to the extra cost from licensing & training. Contractors will also have higher material & labor cost in order to contain and cleanup any dust created from the remodeling process. They will have no choice but to pass the extra cost to the homeowner.

For more information visit  www.epa.gov/lead, or phone the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-5323.