Lead Poisoning Facts and Prevention Tips

Lead contamination in the home environment is still considered to be a serious in-home problem even though lead containing paint was phased out of the marketplace in 1978. While government agency literature states that lead is most harmful to children six years and younger, little is discussed by these agencies about lead-laden dust which can be found throughout many houses, apartments and buildings to this day that can affect people of all ages.

Even though United States federal law requires that individuals receive certain information regarding lead before renting, buying or renovating of pre-1978 housing, common sense should be employed to protect the health and well being of all household members. Under the law a landlord or seller may only be required to state if the structure contains lead paint but does not require disclosure about when lead paint was covered with non-lead paint. All housing structures or buildings built before 1978 should be considered to be contaminated with lead-laden dust unless proof has been presented to the contrary.

Here are some important prevention tips to reduce exposure to lead:

  • Keep the areas your children play in as dust free and clean as possible.
  • Ensure that your children have a nutritious diet strong in iron and calcium. This will reduce the amount of lead their bodies may absorb if exposed.
  • Keep children from chewing on window sills or other painted surfaces.
  • Wash children’s hands often throughout the day, especially before meals and bedtime.
  • Wash bottles, pacifiers and other hard-surface toys with a slightly acidic vinegar solution (vinegar is a 5% solution of acetic acid).
  • Clean up paint chips immediately and wipe down the area with a slightly acidic vinegar solution.
  • If renting, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint and leave the premises until it has been repainted and remediated.
  • Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from outdoor soil.
  • Bathe pets on a regular basis to reduce the amount of soil they bring in from the outdoors.
  • All window sill and door jamb areas should be HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Air) vacuumed prior to wiping down with a slightly acidic vinegar solution.
  • Keep children from playing in soil areas adjacent to old houses, apartments and buildings.
  • Avoid cheap imported dinnerware which may contain lead.
  • Keep current on product recalls, especially for children’s products which may contain lead.
  • Allow water to run for over 2 minutes before mixing children’s formulas and always use cold water.
  • Never sand prior to repainting unless you are prepared to immediately HEPA vacuum dust. Never sand without using a disposable N95 mask.
  • Plant gardens away from old painted housing structures.
  • Talk to your local health department about testing paint and household dust for lead.

All houses, apartments or buildings which are known to have or had lead-based paint at any time in their history should be thoroughly cleaned to remove all household dust. All household dust should be considered to be lead-laden unless thorough testing has proven otherwise. This would include HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping of surfaces found under wall-to-wall carpeting. Drapes, blinds and windows should also be thoroughly cleaned to remove any dust. All carpeting and rugs should be deep cleaned using steam or hot water utilizing a slightly acidic cleaning solution.

Cleaning tips to remove potential lead-laden dust:

  • Use only a “true HEPA” vacuum because all other vacuums only recycle small dust particles.
  • Mix distilled water and 5% household vinegar in a hand-operated spray bottle for cleaning hard surfaces.
  • Always wear firmly fitting gloves when performing all cleaning.
  • Always wear a disposable N95 or HEPA dual cartridge mask when cleaning or stirring up dust.
  • Spray each surface and wipe down with a disposable cloth. Rinse with a bucket of cold water using a disposable sponge. Dispose of water into sanitary sewer drain only. Change water in bucket every five times you rinse the sponge in the bucket.
  • All areas should be thoroughly HEPA vacuumed following all other cleaning.

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