Home Improvements
Lead-Based Paint Still A Health Hazard
By
Sep 8, 2005, 00:39

(NAPSI)-DEAR DR. MOORE:

I own a character home and want to sand the floors and trim to their original wood state. Should I be concerned about lead-based paint?

Yes. Despite the fact that lead-based paint was phased out in 1978, lead poisoning is still a major national health issue-and old paint is one of the main culprits.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), about 38 million homes in the United States contain some lead-based paint. If the paint's in good condition, it shouldn't pose a risk. But more than half of those homes are thought to have lead-based paint that's chipping and peeling enough to be dangerous.

Character homes like yours raise another issue. While people used to think nothing of painting all the wood, the trend now is to add value to the home by exposing its natural beauty. The problem, because wood is durable and tends to be in such great shape, is that people strip or sand the paint without recognizing the risks to their health.

Before you do anything, I'd recommend having the paint inspected. Although do-it-yourself kits do exist, they aren't always reliable. A qualified inspector, on the other hand, can tell you whether the paint contains lead and, if so, how much. Homes built before the early 1950s tend to have the highest concentrations, up to 50 percent by weight.

If the paint is deteriorating, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends a number of immediate steps, such as cleaning surfaces frequently, and thoroughly rinsing sponges and mop heads. Avoid sanding, chipping or heating the paint as this can create lead dust and fumes which are easily inhaled.

Some people believe that only children and pregnant women are at risk from lead poisoning. But while they're more susceptible, anyone can be affected. In adults, lead poisoning can cause (among other things) nerve damage, impaired mental functions and increased blood pressure.

If the paint is lead-based and you still want to proceed, it makes sense to follow the recommendation of both the U.S. EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission: hire trained professionals, who know how to protect both worker health and the surrounding environment. For more information, visit the HUD Web site (www.hud.gov) or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.

Dr. Patrick Moore has been a leader of the environmental movement for more than 30 years. A co-founder of Greenpeace, he holds a PhD in ecology and a BSc in forest biology. Questions can be sent to Patrick@SensibleEnvironmental ist.com.

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