Johann Hunt
Lead poisoning is a serious health risk, particularly for young children, causing developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and behavioral issues. While lead has been phased out of many products, it can still be traced in older homes. Here are 15 common places where lead might be lurking in your home.
Interior and Exterior Paint
Lead-based paint was used widely in homes built before 1978, when it was banned by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Peeling, chipping, or deteriorating paint is a major concern as it can release toxic lead particles into the air, posing serious health risks, especially to children and pregnant women.
Window Sills and Frames
These areas often show signs of wear and tear, exposing lead paint. Wood exposed to rain, snow, and sunlight expands and contracts, leading to cracking and chipping. Over time, paint naturally deteriorates to reveal underlying layers. Additionally, the repeated opening and closing of windows generates friction, which wears down both paint and wood.
Doors and Door Frames
Similar to windows, these areas can have lead-based paint, posing a hazard due to various factors. Friction from opening and closing doors causes wear on paint and wood, which could produce lead particles, while impact from doors banging against frames can dislodge lead paint chips.
Trim and Moulding
Decorative elements around doors, windows, and ceilings may contain lead, especially those installed before 1978 or featuring ornate designs and high-gloss finishes. Crown molding, chair rails, and ornate casings are particularly vulnerable to lead contamination. Regular lead testing and maintenance can help minimize the risk of lead exposure.
Stairs, Railings, and Banisters
These high-traffic areas can have lead-based paint. Lead is often found in worn or chipped paint on handrails, banisters, and stair treads. As people grasp or brush against these surfaces, lead particles can transfer to hands and clothing, risking ingestion or inhalation, especially for young children who frequently touch and mouth objects.
Lead Pipes
Back in the day, lead pipes were commonly used to connect properties to the main water network. Lead gets into drinking water when it dissolves from lead pipework into standing water. The amount of lead depends on factors like water standing time, pipe condition, temperature, and hardness, with softer water typically having higher lead levels.
Solder
Before it was banned in 1986, lead solder was used to connect pipes. Over time, drinking water, particularly in hot water systems, often becomes contaminated with lead. This poses health risks, such as neurological damage in children and hypertension in adults.
Faucets and Fixtures
Brass or chrome-plated brass fixtures with lead solder can contaminate water, especially if they contain more than 8% lead. Even “lead-free” fixtures can leach small amounts of lead. Replace lead pipes and light fixtures by following safety guidelines, consulting professionals, and completing installations according to manufacturer instructions.
Soil
Lead from paint chips, gasoline emissions, and industrial sources contaminates soil, particularly near toxic waste sites, roadways, and industrial areas. The element does not break down over time, which means that lead deposited in the past can still pose a problem today. Minimize lead exposure by using raised beds, testing soil, applying mulch, and washing hands after gardening.
Dust
When remodeling, scraping, or demolishing, lead paint can be disturbed, releasing harmful particles into the air and posing health risks. The CDC reports that nearly 29 million housing units in the US contain lead-based paint hazards, including deteriorated paint and lead-contaminated dust.
Toys and Furniture
Older toys or furniture might contain lead paint, especially items made before 1978. Children under age 6 are at the greatest risk of lead exposure, but adults are not immune. Fisher Price, a well-known toy manufacturer, has recommended that vintage toys be used as decor only and not for play due to potential lead exposure.
Ceramic Dishes and Pottery
Antique items might be lead-glazed, and that could leach into food and drinks. This is particularly concerning when acidic foods are stored or cooked in such pottery, as it accelerates the reaction. Alarmingly, the FDA has found that some traditional pottery from Mexico, despite being labeled as “lead-free,” actually contains levels of extractable lead comparable to those found in lead-glazed pottery.
Electronics
Aged electronics often have lead in solder, components, and wiring. Lead can leach out when these devices are damaged or improperly disposed of. E-waste is the fastest-growing solid waste stream globally, increasing three times more than the global population. Approximately 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were generated worldwide in 2019, but only 17.4% was formally collected and recycled.
Automotive Parts
Before the phase-out of leaded gasoline in the United States by the Clean Air Act of 1996, lead additives were used to enhance engine performance. These additives protected engine components but also contributed to harmful emissions. Traditional car batteries often contain lead acid, which is a combination of lead and sulfuric acid.
Cabinets and Drawers
Interior surfaces of cabinets and drawers, especially in older homes, might be painted with lead-based paint. If you plan significant renovations or repairs involving lead-based paint, consider hiring EPA lead-safe certified contractors.
Comments
Loading…