Download Lead Hazards in Older Homes A Big Problem

Lead Hazards in Older Homes
A Big Problem
Why be concerned about lead in our
homes?
Lead has bad effects on
young children and can
cause health, behavior
and learning problems.
The placenta is
a structure which
allows materials
to diffuse from
the mother to the
developing child,
as well as in the
opposite direction.
Lead is a small molecule and can
easily diffuse to the fetus through the
placenta from the mother and have
negative consequences for the unborn
child.
Why are young children very
vulnerable?
– They tend to put objects in their
mouths.
– The body organs and the brain in
particular is still developing.
Some of these adverse effects include:
• Damage to the brain and nervous
system
• Behavior and learning problems (such
as hyperactivity, IQ deficits, and ADHD)
• Slowed growth
• Hearing problems
• Headaches
Some Health Problems in Children that are
Caused by Lead
• Brain or nerve damage
•
•
•
Hearing Problems
Slowed growth
Digestive problems
Lead is also harmful to adults.
Adults can suffer from:
• Difficulties during pregnancy
• Other reproductive problems (in both
men and women)
• High blood pressure
• Digestive problems
• Nerve disorders
• Memory and concentration problems
• Muscle and joint pain
• Lead is a problem.
Don't forget that it
thwarted Superman's
X-ray vision!
Young children often put
non-food items into their
mouths. Some of these
items may have lead
dust on their surface.
Sources of lead in or near the home
Lead paint peeling from a shed
Peeling and flaking lead paint in the
window and its casing
Flaking and peeling lead paint on
old shutters
Lead soldering in plumbing in home
water pipes
Porches with cracked or flaking
lead paint are hazardous.
Lead in the soil from flaking paint
or other sources
This is a problem,
especially if
children play near
where this lead
contamination is.
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Some Steps for Reducing Lead
Exposure in Contaminated Homes
1. If piper have lead solder – run the
water for a few minutes to flush the
system.
2. Never sweep or sand flaking lead
based paint.
3. Keep children, pregnant women,
and other non-workers out of the area
you are cleaning.
4. Fix doors and windows that stick
when opened and closed.
5. Make flat surfaces smooth and
cleanable. For example, remove old
carpeting; replace damaged linoleum
6. When removing lead-based paint,
workers must wear safety glasses and
a NIOSH-approved dust mask.
7. When cleaning lead dust, never dry
sweep.
8. Use a vacuum with HEPA filters and
wet clean using the two pail technique.