Lead paint can cause an assortment of ailments, especially in young children. Therefore it is important that you make sure you hire a professional when you need to start work on your next home improvement project!
Some quick facts about lead poisoning that you should know:
- Most homes built before 1978 have lead paint. It could be on walls, window sills or frames, even the outside of the house.
- Painted surfaces can create lead dust when rubbed together, such as when you open and close a window. This dust is often unnoticeable but is just as dangerous as other sources of lead.
- Even children who appear healthy can have high levels of lead in their body. Long term affects can include decreased growth, hyper activity, learning disabilities, impaired hearing and more.
- A child who gets enough iron and calcium will absorb less lead than a child who is deficient.
- According to the EPA.gov website, "Home test kits for lead are available, but studies suggest that they are not always accurate. Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety."