Beware of Lead Paint Problems (1202)

Swallowing even small amounts of lead can lead to many health problems that often go undiagnosed. Lead poses the greatest risk to young children because they may swallow lead from many sources, including household dust. The effects of low-level poisoning do not appear in a dramatic way. Also, it is hard to realize that a child’s normal hand-to-mouth activity can deliver a dangerous dose of lead. But the effects of lead poisoning can have a profound effect for the rest of the child’s life.

The effects on adults are less worrisome for several reasons. First, on average, adults take in only a fraction of the household dust children take in. Second, adults absorb a much smaller proportion of any lead that they ingest into their bloodstream.

Third, because bodies are fully developed, adults may reverse the effects of lead poisoning. Adult symptoms include increased irritability, reduced muscle coordination and damage to nerves associated with the sensory organs.

Lead-based paint is a common source of lead poisoning in children. Most exterior paint manufactured before the 1950’s had considerable lead. Exterior paint continued to have lead until the mid 1970’s. This means that many Pennsylvania and New Jersey homes have surfaces covered with lead-based paint.

Lead-based paint can become hazardous in one of three ways:

- Children may eat paint that chips from surfaces.

- The natural weathering of paint often creates lead dust.

- Processes used to remove lead paint can create lead dust fumes. Paint chips and dust are also produced during repair or remodeling projects. This lead debris can harm workers. More important, it is difficult to clean completely and can pose a continuing hazard to occupants. Lead dust poses a significant but unseen risk to toddlers because of their hand-to-mouth activity. If you suspect someone in your household is suffering from lead poisoning, contact your physician or local health department.

If you are concerned about whether paint in your home contains lead, have a sample analyzed or a risk inspection performed. Contact your local extension office for a list of lead testing laboratories.

If the results of the test indicate a high lead content, there are several things to consider before deciding what to do:

- Are there young children in the home? Preschool children are at greatest risk.

- Is the paint chipping or flaking away from the surface or subject to mechanical damage?

- Where is the paint? Surfaces within reach of preschool children usually present the greatest risks.

- When you wipe a dry cloth over the painted surface does some of the color of paint come off on the cloth? If so, lead dust is forming from the deteriorating paint.

Removing lead-based paint can be hazardous and expensive. If the paint is in good shape and there are no young children present, then the best solution may be to leave the paint in place. If the paint creates dust, as a short-term solution, wash the surface at least twice a month and make sure young children wash their hands frequently. Use a damp mop or dust cloth to control dust when cleaning or housekeeping. In addition, wash the dust off the surface and cover the weathering paint with another coat of paint.

The only acceptable permanent solutions are to cover the surface with a durable material such as gypsum board, tile or paneling, or to remove the paint. Covering woodwork, or window and door trim may be difficult, so you’ll have to remove the lead-based paint or replace the woodwork.

There are many ways to remove paint. Unfortunately, most are hazardous when used with lead-based paint. Sanding or scraping releases lead-laden dust into the air. While open power sanding can create major lead contamination, it is possible to purchase special sanders with containment systems that collect the paint. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for a list of manufacturers. Heat removal methods can create enough heat to release lead fumes. If you use low heat methods with care to soften but not scorch paint, heat methods work. This debris is very crumbly and must be collected and properly disposed of. Chemical paint strippers are least likely to release lead dust; however, they may contain other hazardous materials.

Some new paint remover products do not use methylene chloride or other volatile solvents. Some of these new strippers are sold expressly to remove lead-based paint. Purchase them by the gallon at hardware or paint stores. You apply the heavy strippers to the surface and cover with a special fabric to slow drying. After you leave the stripper on for the recommended time, peel the fabric, stripper and paint off the wall together. These products work better on some surfaces than others, so read and follow instructions carefully. Remember that strippers present their own health hazards. Follow safety precautions on the package.

Lead paint residues from strippers and other removal are hazardous and may be classified as hazardous waste. In New Jersey, homeowners who generate such waste are permitted to dispose of it with normal trash, provided it is double-wrapped and sealed in plastic bags, and only if the trash is taken to a landfill, not incinerated. Painting contractors who generate such waste may be bound by stricter hazardous waste regulations.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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